The timing of J.T. Miller's trade was a little bit odd. Miller was dealt from the Vancouver Canucks to the New York Rangers just a couple weeks before the 4 Nations Face-Off. Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin made clear that this upcoming tournament had nothing to do with the timing of the Miller trade.

Boeser has had the most success of his Canucks tenure when riding shotgun with Miller. Miller’s playmaking ability down low was an excellent fit with Boeser’s finishing ability from the inner slot. With Miller gone, the risk and uncertainty around committing a six- or seven-year contract to Boeser increases.

Star center J.T. Miller is on his way back to the New York Rangers as the Vancouver Canucks are shipping the center for Filip Chytil, Vincent Mancini and a protected first-round draft pick per NHL insider Frank Seravalli. He has been scratched from Vancouver's lineup for Friday night's road game against the Dallas Stars.