rikster wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 8:29 am
If the rumours are true regarding Buffalo emerging as a trade partner, Cozens is definitely part or all of what’s coming back as they are as frustrated with Cozens as we are with Pettersson. It can almost be guaranteed that the hold up is Buffalo either wants some of a Petey’s contract retained while Allvin not wanting to retain. Meaning that we would have to take more money back like, a Byram add in for instance, with us adding a high quality asset to Petey (a sweetener) that is of low money and young like a top prospect that the Canucks don’t want to trade or a top pick like a 1st rd pick. Are the Canucks currently seeing what they have in D-Pete right now? Showcasing him? A scarificial lamb? I’d hate to trade the kid. I’d rather sweeten the pot with the 2025 1st rd pick.
Personally, I’d rather trade Miller straight up for Cozens. Not sure Buffalo does that
Aren't we being told that JT has asked to be moved and EP has asked to stay?...
If that's accurate reporting, then the team would move JT before they considered moving EP, no?
Take care...
JT has a full NMC and the offers for him have been unacceptable. If he has indeed asked for a trade, and the reports that he have are pure speculation and “Elliotte-4th-line-insider” level reliable, then he probably has exercised his NMC to have some control over where he lands.
If they are considering trading Pettersson because of better offers, then that simply confirms that this entire mess is because of bad blood between these two players.
I interpret the situation this way because of a few reasons…..
If JT is the problem child and Pettersson is the bullied golden boy, then you move the problem, return be damned, even at a loss, suck it up, and go forward.
I just don’t think a guy goes from bleeding team colours, being the leader and engine on the top line, and driving the bus with Quinn, to wanting out the next day.
My (hypothetical) theory…..
Pettersson started phoning it in just before the ASG. He switched from phone to snail mail after the ASG. He held out for top money that he didn’t deserve based upon play at the time (and really only had one season under his belt that approached that value). This didn’t sit too well with JT who had signed an extension at team friendly value. Then Petey gets his paycheque and continues to play disengaged hockey, contributes next to jackshit in the playoffs, and blames it on an injury that nobody on the team knew about. This will make things worse…..and it won’t just be Miller who is having a problem with it.
The lacklustre play continues into the following training camp, pre-season, and regular season…..despite management grabbing DeBrusk in the offseason as a likely new linemate for Scooter. Chemistry isn’t instant and Pettersson continues to appear to be simply going through the motions.
We know that Miller called Pettersson out in a practice this season, but I don’t think that’s the start of it. I’d bet that something happened between these guys at training camp or early pre-season, and that is why Miller was not taking ore-season reps with everyone else. He wasn’t nursing an injury, he was being sat out at team request while they tried to get Pettersson going without the pressure or distraction of Miller being in the same space.
The team insulated Pettersson. They chose to protect their little $11.6M muffin and Miller finally has had all he could handle of the situation. He took a leave of absence to sort through it, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the team wanted that time to see if Pettersson could re-engage…..and he did…..sort of. So then Miller requests a trade because the team is choosing Pettersson over him.
I don’t care how “professional” you are, that sort of thing will destroy a room. Coddling a guy who is being paid more than twice the cheddar than everyone not named Miller, Hughes, and Hronek…..and he’s got a pouty attitude and can’t come close to living up to his cap hit…..the combination won’t fly. Then factor the team choosing to go with that guy over the horse who has pulled the weight for the last 5 seasons…..not going to sit well. That sort of behaviour is going to have more than just one guy wanting out. But none of them will outright say it. The “code” doesn’t allow for that.
I also interpret Allvin's comments about Petey - “he should be a number one center” as twofold in their intent. Firstly, as a challenge and endorsement of Pettersson in hopes to motivate and inspire him. Secondly, pumping his asset value publicly.
Time will tell, but I’m betting that if you move out Pettersson the entire room resets because it will be seen as a sort of “apology” from management to the players for their handling of this, and for committing like this to a player who has had a 6 season history of times or questionable commitment.
Either way, you have to try and fix this now because otherwise you have to blow it up. Miller wants out? I can’t see Boeser wanting to stay right now. Hughes and Demko likely both saying “see ya never” the following two seasons. Garland will look for greener pastures. The Canucks will become a destination for players who can’t get a contract in a more desirable destination.
