While the Nashville Predators are battling to get back in the NHL playoff race, the Vancouver Canucks, their Wednesday opponent, are battling their own issues.
After a rift between forwards J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson was largely rumor for most of the season, team president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford made comments about the situation this week.
“Sometimes emotions get deep and as much as people try sometimes you can’t get over it. It certainly appears that’s what’s going on here,” Rutherford told The Globe and Mail about a rumored strained relationship between Miller and Pettersson this week.
Ahead of the Predators game at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Miller said he had no comment about what Rutherford said.
When asked if there was a rift between him and Pettersson, Miller said, “I’m not commenting on this.”
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Through 39 games, Miller has 34 points, including nine goals, which ranks second on the team. He signed a seven-year, $56 million contract with Vancouver in 2023.
In November, Miller took an indefinite leave from the Canucks, but returned on Dec. 12.
Pettersson, the Canucks’ first-round pick (No. 5 overall) in 2017, signed an eight-year, $92 million contract with Vancouver last March. Through 43 games, he has 11 goals and 20 assists.
The Predators and Canucks play at Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday (8 p.m. CT, FanDuel Sports Network).
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
Hey hockey fans! We have been reading all of your comments and we are excited to respond before the Canucks take on the Predators tonight.
First of all, we want to address the concerns about the Canucks’ recent struggles. We know that they have had a tough season so far, but we believe in this team and their ability to turn things around. They have shown flashes of brilliance and we are hopeful that they will start to put it all together.
Additionally, we have seen a lot of support for the Predators and their strong play this season. We know that they are a tough opponent, but we believe that the Canucks have what it takes to compete with them and come out on top.
Thank you all for your comments and support. Let’s enjoy a great game of hockey tonight and see what unfolds on the ice. Go Canucks! Go Preds!
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