At this point, I’m convinced that the Vancouver Canucks' biggest rival isn’t Edmonton, Vegas, or even their inability to find a second-line centre—it’s the fans & media's obsession with JT Miller.
I know we are in the dog days of the off-season, but it seems that every other day, a podcast or Twitter storm somehow includes Miller’s name. He gets dragged back into the conversation. And I get it—he was a polarizing figure, but newsflash, people: HE’S NOT EVEN ON THE TEAM ANYMORE.
Miller’s trade to the Rangers was the end of the story
Miller was traded to the New York Rangers in January 2025 in a blockbuster deal that brought Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a first-round pick that turned into Marcus Pettersson. That’s an adequate return given just how messy this situation got.
The trade and end of the season should have been the time to close that chapter. Instead, the Miller saga has turned into the hockey version of a soap opera rerun. And now it’s back in the spotlight—because Miller is reportedly in the mix to become the next captain of the Rangers.
Why the Pettersson–Miller feud is old news
The second his name popped up in Rangers captaincy rumours, fans and media personalities were quick to bring up old storylines surrounding the much-debated Miller–Pettersson feud. Remember former captain Bo Horvat, who was actually in the room, called it “blown out of proportion.” At the same time, Jim Rutherford admitted there was tension but nothing unusual for an NHL team. In other words—yes, it happened. No, it wasn’t as bad as the media made it out to be.
Media loves the drama—but it’s holding the team back
Here’s the reality: media outlets know “JT Miller” in a headline equals clicks. Whether it’s a trade, a spat, or now a potential Rangers captaincy, his name drives traffic. Yes, I am writing about it right now, but trust me, this will be the last until Miller makes his return to Rogers Arena on October 28. And in Vancouver, we’ve got this strange addiction to locker-room drama. Someone once said our favourite sport isn’t hockey—it’s talking about hockey drama. I wish I could argue, but they’re not wrong.
The problem is, all this noise about Miller keeps the focus stuck in the past. This team is in a crucial phase right now, with Quinn Hughes, and that’s where the energy should be—not on a player wearing Broadway blue.
Time to leave the drama in the past
We all know the Canucks would be in a way better spot if Miller & Pettersson got along. He was a massive part of this team for a while. His competitive level was through the roof; he put up points and brought an edge that can’t be taught. But there are bigger issues in Canuck-Land.
If he gets the “C” with the Rangers, good for him. That’s his fresh start. The Canucks have theirs right here. Let’s stop reliving the same debates over and over and start talking about the players shaping the team’s next chapter.
The longer we continue discussing JT Miller and Canucks locker room drama, the harder it is to move forward. And this group? They’ve got a real shot at doing something special. Time to focus on the future—and maybe even a Stanley Cup headline instead of another “remember when.”
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