VANCOUVER — The Detroit Red Wings are set to wrap up their trip through Western Canada on Sunday evening as they take on the Vancouver Canucks in the second half of a back-to-back.
The Red Wings have started off this western road trip strong. After outlasting the Edmonton Oilers this past Thursday, the team swept Alberta by taking down the Calgary Flames with a 3-1 win on Saturday night, extending Detroit’s win streak to five.
Thanks to this strong stretch of play, the Red Wings have a shot at moving into a playoff spot on Sunday. Sitting sixth in the Atlantic Division, Detroit is one point back of the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Canucks have been very busy over the past couple of days, shipping JT Miller off to the New York Rangers while acquiring Marcus Johansson from the Pittsburgh Penguins. The team is hoping the moves pay off in their quest to get into the playoffs.
Vancouver is fifth in the Pacific Division, one point out of a Wild Card in the Western Conference.
This is the second and final meeting this season between the two teams, with Vancouver winning the first meeting in Detroit, in overtime, back in early December.
NHL HOCKEY
Detroit Red Wings (26-21-5) vs. Vancouver Canucks (23-18-10)
Are you ready for some NHL action? The Detroit Red Wings will be facing off against the Vancouver Canucks on February 2nd, 2025. If you’re looking to catch the game, here’s how you can watch:
Channel: The game will be broadcasted on your local sports network, so check your cable or satellite provider for the specific channel.
Stream: If you prefer to stream the game, you can tune in on your favorite streaming platform such as NHL.tv, ESPN+, or Hulu + Live TV.
Preview: The Detroit Red Wings have been making strides this season with their young talent and are looking to secure a playoff spot. The Vancouver Canucks, on the other hand, are determined to turn their season around and climb up the standings. It’s sure to be an exciting matchup between these two teams.
Don’t miss out on the action and tune in to watch the Detroit Red Wings take on the Vancouver Canucks on February 2nd, 2025!
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Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee each made his debut with the Flames in a 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.
Frost and Farabee were acquired on Thursday in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers for forwards Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier, a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, and a seventh-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft.
“I think it’s awesome,” Farabee said. “Just for ‘Frosty’ and I it’s a little bit of a fresh start for our careers. These guys are playing really well right now and in a great spot and hopefully we can add to that and help them keep it going.”
Farabee, who has 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) in 51 games, was the right wing on Calgary’s top line with Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau. Frost, who has 25 points (11 goals, 14 assists) in 50 games, was the center on a line with Yegor Sharangovich and Martin Pospisil.
“It’s exciting for us both,” Frost said. ” Joel and I have been talking about it. In the moment, you’re obviously sad to leave your teammates you’ve been with and group of guys. At the same time, I think both of us probably needed a fresh start anyway. In the hunt here. Hopefully we can come in and give the team a boost.”
The Flames (25-19-7) are fourth in the Pacific Division and hold the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference, one point ahead of the Vancouver Canucks.
“You lose teammates, but you also recognize we’re bringing in some guys that are going to make our team better,” Calgary coach Ryan Huska said. “Players are smart. They know that. At the end of the day they’re excited to have them and welcome them into our team.” — Aaron Vickers
In today’s NHL Buzz, all eyes are on Vancouver Canucks’ star forward Quinn Hughes as he is listed as a game-time decision for tonight’s matchup against the Detroit Red Wings.
Hughes, who has been a key player for the Canucks this season, is dealing with a lower-body injury that has kept him out of the lineup for the past few games. The young defenseman has been a force on both ends of the ice, leading the team in points and playing crucial minutes on the power play and penalty kill.
With Hughes potentially returning to the lineup tonight, Canucks fans are hopeful that his presence will give the team a much-needed boost as they look to secure a victory against the Red Wings. However, his status remains uncertain as the coaching staff will make a final decision closer to game time.
Stay tuned for more updates on Quinn Hughes’ status and all the latest news from around the NHL in our next NHL Buzz update.
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One of the NHL’s more bizarre situations is finally being resolved. Center J.T. Miller has been traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the New York Rangers, according to multiple media reports.
Miller and teammate Elias Pettersson, two of the Canucks’ top scorers, have developed tensions between them going back approximately three seasons. The feud largely comes down to Miller’s aggressive leadership style, which clashed with the younger Pettersson’s quieter style.
JT Miller has been asked to Waive NMC to go to the NYR. Won’t be in the Canucks lineup tonight.
The two fought during practice in late October, slashing each other with their sticks. Their disagreement has become a significant falling out, which has split the team’s locker room, despite public denials.
In mid-November, Miller left the Canucks indefinitely for what the team said were personal reasons. He rejoined the team after a 10-game absence, appearing in all 23 of Vancouver’s games since then.
The dispute has been a major factor in Vancouver falling from a 50-23-9 first-place finish last season to its current 23-17-10 mark. That leaves them fifth in the eight-team Pacific Division and ninth in the Western Conference, on the outside looking in for a playoff spot.
Concurrently, Miller, 31, put up his best numbers last season, tallying 103 points (37 goals, 66 assists). However, his production has fallen to nine goals and 26 assists this season. He has five years remaining on his contract, set to pay him $40 million.
Pettersson, 26, signed an eight-year, $92.8 million contract last March, but has also seen his performance falter from 89 points (34 goals, 55 assists) last season to 11 goals and 21 assists in 44 games this season.
To resolve the issue, the Canucks had worked out a deal to send Miller to the Rangers, but that trade fell through. Miller has a no-movement clause in his contract, but was willing to waive it to return to New York, where he began his NHL career and played six seasons. Pettersson was also nearly traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in another deal that broke down.
To my Vancouver friends stressing over the return on a player with full no-movement protection:
The most important player in the trade is Elias Pettersson, who hopefully can be Elias Pettersson again now that Miller’s gone.
This week, Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford acknowledged in an interview with The Globe and Mail’s Gary Mason that the rift has split the team and changed once-promising plans.
“We’ve had those conversations and I think the parties understand that and I think they’ve tried,” Rutherford explained. “As you know, 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.”
“We’re talking about two of our top players,” he added. “Certainly, our two best forwards. It can really be tough on a franchise — not only present, but into the future — when you’re planning on peaking this team into a contending team and then you find out that’s not going to happen. Or at least it’s not going to happen with the group we have now. Then you have to put together a new plan.”
The Vancouver Canucks have been split by a rift between Elias Pettersson (right) and J.T. Miller (left), turning a first-place team into a mediocre non-contender. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
However, the Canucks and Rangers finally agreed on a trade that both teams hope fuels a turnaround. Miller is expected to be in New York’s lineup for Saturday’s matchup with the Boston Bruins.
Going to Vancouver in exchange for Miller is center Filip Chytil, defenseman Victor Mancini and a protected first-round draft pick as part of the deal. The Rangers will also receive defensemen Jackson Dorrington and Erik Brannstrom in the trade package.
The 2025 first-rounder traded to the Canucks is protected if it’s among the NHL Draft’s top 13 selections, according to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.
The Vancouver Canucks have traded disgruntled forward J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers in a blockbuster 6-player deal.
Miller, who had been vocal about his frustration with the Canucks’ lack of success, is headed to the Rangers in exchange for a package that includes forwards Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, and Vitali Kravtsov, as well as defenseman K’Andre Miller and a first-round pick.
The trade comes as a surprise to many, as Miller had been a key player for the Canucks since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019. However, with the team struggling to find consistency and Miller expressing his desire for a change of scenery, the Canucks decided to pull the trigger on the deal.
The Rangers, on the other hand, are thrilled to add a player of Miller’s caliber to their roster. With Miller joining a talented group of forwards in New York, the Rangers are hoping to make a push for the playoffs this season.
Overall, this trade is sure to shake up the landscape of the NHL and will be one to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
In addition to the Rangers’ 2025 first-round pick, the Penguin received forward Danton Heinen, defenseman Vincent Desharnais and the rights to forward Melvin Fernstrom in the trade. The Rangers’ pick is conditional. If New York picks within the top 13 selections in the 2025 draft, it becomes an unprotected 2026 first-round pick in what’s expected to be a deeper draft pool.
Pettersson and O’Connor are unrestricted free agents after the season.
“We wish both Danton and Vinny all the best in Pittsburgh and thank them for their contributions this season,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said. “We are really happy to add to the depth of our team with the acquisitions of Marcus and Drew. Marcus has good size, reach, and makes solid decisions with the puck while Drew is an intelligent player with versatility and a bigger frame.”
Pettersson, 28, was widely expected to be moved out of Pittsburgh after seven years with the team due to his expiring contract and the Penguins’ retooling. He has 18 points in 47 games this season, averaging 22:03 per game, and is a strong two-way defenseman who spent time with both Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang on the Pittsburgh blueline this season. His contract has an average annual value of $4,025,175. Pettersson had limited trade protection.
O’Connor, 26, plays both wings. He has 6 goals and 10 assists in 53 games this season, his fifth in the NHL with the Penguins. A tenacious forechecker, he was unable to stick with star centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin due to a lack of goal production. He spent the majority of his time recently in their bottom six forwards. O’Connor’s contract has an average annual value of $925,000.
Heinen, 29, is a known commodity in Pittsburgh, having played for the Penguins from 2021-23. The journeyman forward had 6 goals and 12 assists in 51 games for Vancouver this season, averaging 13:57 per game. Heinen is signed through the 2025-26 season with a $2.25 million cap hit.
Desharnais, 28, is a 6-foot-7 defenseman who signed with Vancouver as a free agent after two seasons in Edmonton. He had three assists in 34 games with 34 penalty minutes, playing 15:58 per game. A penalty killing defenseman, he’s also signed through the 2025-26 season with a $2 million cap hit.
The trade follows an early evening blockbuster that saw the Canucks send Miller to the Rangers for forward Filip Chytil, defenseman Victor Mancini and their 2025 first-round draft pick.
Miller is expected to play for the Rangers at the Boston Bruins on Saturday afternoon.
Vancouver lost its first game after the Miller trade, 5-3, to the Dallas Stars.
The Vancouver Canucks have been making moves this offseason, and their latest acquisition has fans buzzing with excitement. The team has acquired forward Elias Pettersson and defenseman Jack O’Connor from the Pittsburgh Penguins in a blockbuster trade.
Pettersson, a former Calder Trophy winner, is known for his speed, skill, and offensive prowess. He will bring a much-needed boost to the Canucks’ forward group, adding depth and talent to their lineup.
O’Connor, a promising young defenseman, is seen as a rising star in the league. His strong defensive play and ability to move the puck effectively will solidify the Canucks’ blue line and provide stability on the back end.
With these two new additions, the Canucks are poised to make a strong push for the playoffs next season. Fans can’t wait to see Pettersson and O’Connor in action and are optimistic about the team’s prospects moving forward. Stay tuned for more updates as the Canucks continue to make moves this offseason.
Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the club has acquired defenceman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for forward Danton Heinen, defenceman Vincent Desharnais, the rights to forward Melvin Fernström and a conditional first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft (acquired from the New York Rangers).
“We wish both Danton and Vinny all the best in Pittsburgh and thank them for their contributions this season,” said Allvin. “We are really happy to add to the depth of our team with the acquisitions of Marcus and Drew. Marcus has good size, reach, and makes solid decisions with the puck while Drew is an intelligent player with versatility and a bigger frame.”
Pettersson, 28, has appeared in 47 games for Pittsburgh this season, recording 18 points (3-15-18) and 25 penalty minutes.
In 491 career games, split between Pittsburgh and Anaheim, Pettersson has accumulated 151 points (17-134-151), 294 penalty minutes, and a +77 plus/minus rating. The 6’5”, 174lbs forward has also appeared in 25 career playoff games, collecting four points (0-4-4) and 12 penalty minutes.
The Skelleftea, Sweden native has represented his country multiple times at the international level, including the World Championship (2019), World Junior Championship (2016), World Under-18 Junior Championship (2014) and the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge (2013) where he won a gold medal.
Pettersson was originally selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round, 38th overall, in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
O’Connor, 26, has played in 53 games for the Penguins this season, accumulating 16 points (6-10-16) and 16 penalty minutes.
In 210 career NHL games, all spent with Pittsburgh, O’Connor has registered 66 points (30-36-66) and 54 penalty minutes. the 6’4”, 209lbs winger has also appeared in two career playoff games.
In 73 career AHL games, all with Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, O’Connor has registered 73 points (27-46-73), 51 penalty minutes and a +9 plus/minus rating.
The Chatham, NJ native originally signed an entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins as an undrafted free agent.
The Vancouver Canucks have made a big move, acquiring forward Elias Pettersson and defenseman Ethan O’Connor from the Pittsburgh Penguins in a blockbuster trade. Pettersson, a former Calder Trophy winner, brings elite skill and playmaking ability to the Canucks’ lineup, while O’Connor adds size and physicality to the team’s blue line. This trade signals the Canucks’ commitment to improving their roster and contending for a playoff spot this season. Stay tuned for more updates as the team integrates these new additions into their lineup. #Canucks #NHLTrade #Pettersson #OConnor
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The Vancouver Canucks continued their busy Friday night by completing a trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins to acquire defenceman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor.
Pittsburgh received forwards Danton Heinen and Melvin Fernstrom, defenceman Vincent Desharnais and a conditional first-round draft pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Per reports, that conditional draft pick is the pick Vancouver received in their deal earlier on Friday with the Rangers that sent star forward J.T. Miller to New York.
Pettersson, 28, has three goals and 18 points in 47 games with the Penguins this year, his seventh with the team.
“Moving two long-time Penguins is never an easy decision,” said Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas. “Marcus and Drew have competed day-in and day-out for the organization since the day they arrived. Both players are high-quality people, highly competitive players and zero maintenance for their fellow teammates and the staff of the Penguins.”
O’Connor has spent the last five seasons in Pittsburgh since he was signed as an undrafted free agent. He has six goals and 16 points in 53 games this season.
The acquisition of the conditional 2025 first-round pick gives the Penguins 29 selections over the next three NHL drafts, which includes four first-round picks and 15 choices over the first three rounds. No team has more draft picks, or selections in the first three rounds, over the next three NHL Drafts than Pittsburgh.
“Tonight’s trade continues to move us in the direction set one year ago which is to continue to add young prospects, young players, and draft capital to the Penguins as we chart our course to return the club back into contention as urgently as possible,” said Dubas.
“We are pleased to add Heinen back to the Penguins and Desharnais to the club and look forward to seeing both in uniform in the coming days. The addition of Fernstrom also gives us a prospect that was highly regarded at the 2024 NHL Draft, and the Rangers’ first-round draft pick provides us with another strong asset that we can use to acquire an elite young player in the draft or via trade.”
More to come.
The Vancouver Canucks have made a major move to bolster their roster by acquiring superstar center Elias Pettersson and promising young defenseman Ethan O’Connor from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Pettersson, the former Calder Trophy winner, is known for his dynamic playmaking ability and offensive prowess. He will provide a significant boost to the Canucks’ top line and powerplay unit.
O’Connor, a former first-round pick, has shown flashes of brilliance in his young career and has the potential to develop into a top-pairing defenseman for the Canucks.
This trade represents a significant step forward for the Canucks as they look to compete for a playoff spot in the highly competitive Western Conference.
Fans of the Canucks are sure to be excited about the addition of Pettersson and O’Connor to their team and eagerly anticipate seeing them in action on the ice.
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With two strong goaltenders manning the nets, goals will be at a premium in Dallas tonight.
Jan 31, 2025 • 08:34 ET
• 4 min read
Photo By – Imagn Images. Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) blocks the deflection from Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg.
The Vancouver Canucks take a three-game winning streak to the American Airlines Center to take on the Dallas Stars in a Western Conference clash Friday, January 31.
With Vancouver showing off defensively on the highway and Dallas a stingy team on home ice, my Canucks vs. Stars predictions and NHL picks call for a low-scoring game tonight.
My Canucks analysis The Vancouver Canucks have traveled well this season with a 14-7-4 record while allowing the seventh-fewest goals per game (2.72) and second-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 (2.23) on the highway.
It’s a similar story for the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center, with their 18-7-1 record fueled by allowing the third-fewest goals per home game (2.23).
Canucks No. 1 goalie Thatcher Demko also turned away 31 of 32 shots during Vancouver’s 3-1 road win over the Nashville Predators on Wednesday. His .877 SV% and 3.27 GAA both have screaming statistical correction ahead, too. Demko posted high-end .918 and 2.45 marks last season, after all.
Additionally, a big reason Dallas has been so stingy on home ice has been its No. 1 goalie, Jake Oettinger. He’s posted a .917 SV% and 2.12 GAA across his 23 home starts. I also value Dallas’ eighth-ranked 52.4 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5 at the American Airlines Center.
Simply put, goals are going to be hard to come by for both clubs tonight.
Finally, I also value the long-standing trend of the Stars playing to the Under in 63 of their past 102 games (+27.55 Units / 24% ROI), including a total record of 15-29-6 this season.
Canucks vs Stars odds analysis
The Canucks opened as a +162 underdog at Pinnacle, and the line nearly immediately moved to +151. Vancouver has won 26 of its past 47 road games (+5.60 Units / 9% ROI), and Dallas is missing a number of key contributors, so there’s potential for continued Canucks action coming in ahead of puck drop.
I obviously like the Under 5.5 in this matchup. There hasn’t been early movement to the total at Pinnacle after opening with an even -107 vig on both sides of the number. I’ll be surprised if the Under -107 doesn’t provide closing line value.
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Canucks vs Stars odds
Canucks vs Stars live odds
Canucks vs Stars opening odds
Puck line: Vancouver +1.5 (-167) | Dallas -1.5 (+144)
The Dallas Stars have hit the game total Under in 63 of their past 102 games (+27.55 Units / 24% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Canucks vs. Stars.
How to watch Canucks vs Stars
Location
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Date
Friday, 1-31-2025
Puck drop
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
SN
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The Vancouver Canucks will be facing off against the Dallas Stars tonight in what is sure to be an exciting NHL matchup. Both teams are coming off of strong performances in their previous games, making this game a must-watch for hockey fans.
The Canucks have been playing well as of late, with key players like Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser leading the way. Their offense has been firing on all cylinders, and their defense has been solid as well. They will be looking to continue their winning streak tonight against the Stars.
On the other hand, the Stars have also been playing well recently, with players like Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin stepping up their game. Their goaltending has been strong, and their defense has been tough to crack. They will be looking to secure a win at home tonight against the Canucks.
In terms of predictions, this game could go either way. Both teams are evenly matched and have been playing well recently. It will likely come down to which team can capitalize on their scoring chances and make the most of their power plays.
As for picks, it’s always a safe bet to go with the home team in a close matchup like this. The Stars have the advantage of playing in front of their home crowd, which could give them the edge they need to come out on top.
In terms of odds, the Stars are currently favored to win this game, but the Canucks are not far behind. It should be a close and competitive game, so be sure to tune in tonight to see who comes out on top in this Canucks vs Stars showdown.
The Vancouver Canucks (23-17-10) and Dallas Stars (32-17-1) will tussle Friday at America Airlines Arena. The opening faceoff will be at 8 p.m. (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Canucks vs. Stars odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Dallas won 2-of-3 in 2023-24
Vancouver is capping off a 3-game road trip. In the middle game of that voyage, the Canucks defeated the Nashville Predators 3-1 on Wednesday. The club is 2-0-0 on the trip and 3-0-0 in its last 3 games.
The Stars are also undefeated over their last 3 games (3-0-0). They are coming off a 4-3 overtime win Tuesday at the Vegas Golden Knights.
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Demko started Wednesday against Nashville and allowed 1 goal on 32 shots. That effort marked a bounce-back after notching a shaky .833 SV% across his 4 previous games (Jan. 16-23).
Oettinger last played Tuesday at Vegas. He yielded 3 goals on 28 shots. The 26-year-old netminder owns a .919 SV% this month.
Dallas is 18-7-1 at home. The Stars are back on home ice after back-to-back road games; after 5 previous multi-game trips, they returned home with 4 wins (4-1-0).
When playing on 2-days of rest, Dallas is 6-1-0, scoring 4.14 goals per game against 2.86. The Stars are underperforming recent 5-on-5 expected-goals numbers. They own a 30.4% power play since Jan. 14 and are facing a Vancouver club that has logged more-than 15 penalty minutes per game since Jan. 16.
If Demko gets the call for the Canucks, he’s been prone to some clunkers. The probability for some cushion here is worth a STARS -1.5 (+145) play.
Dallas owns some expected-goal numbers that indicate more lamps being lit in 5-on-5 play and at both ends. With the Stars’ nice offensive numbers on 2-day rest and with some fade lean on Demko, BACK THE OVER 5.5 (-110).
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The Vancouver Canucks will face off against the Dallas Stars in an exciting NHL matchup. Both teams have been playing well recently, so it should be an interesting game to watch.
The odds for this game are close, with the Canucks being slight underdogs. However, they have been playing well as of late and could pull off an upset.
As for picks and predictions, I think this game could go either way. The Stars have a strong defense and goaltending, while the Canucks have a potent offense. It will likely come down to which team can execute their game plan better.
I would lean towards the Stars winning this game, but it could easily go the other way. It should be a competitive and entertaining matchup between these two talented teams.
Welcome to the NHL On Tap, a daily look at the games on the NHL schedule. There are four games on the schedule for Friday, including one nationally televised in the United States and one in Canada.
Games of the day
Vancouver Canucks at Dallas Stars (8 p.m. ET; Victory+, SN)
Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and Stars forward Roope Hintz go head-to-head for the first time this season before facing off at the 4 Nations Face-Off from Feb. 12-20 in Montreal and Boston. Hughes, who leads the Canucks with 58 points (14 goals, 44 assists), will represent the United States. Hintz, who leads the Stars with 20 goals, will play for Finland. The Stars (32-17-1) have won three straight and four of five but will be without defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who is week to week and will miss the 4 Nations Face-Off for Finland after sustaining a knee injury on Tuesday. The Canucks (23-17-10), who play the final game of a three-game road trip, have won three straight.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Utah Hockey Club (9 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, Utah 16)
The Blue Jackets (25-19-7) look to continue their hot streak when they visit Utah at Delta Center. Columbus, which won 2-1 in overtime against the Golden Knights on Thursday, has won two straight and is 9-2-1 in its past 12 games. Blue Jackets forward Adam Fantilli has six points (four goals, two assists) in his past four games. His 15 goals and 29 points in 51 games this season already surpass his rookie season totals of 12 goals and 27 points in 49 games last season. Utah, which is 8-11-5 at home this season, will be without forward Logan Cooley, who is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury and will be reevaluated after the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Buffalo (19-26-5) will look to build upon an impressive 7-2 win against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday when it hosts the Predators at KeyBank Center in the second of a four-game homestand. Buffalo forwards Tage Thompson and JJ Peterka each scored a hat trick in the win. Thompson has 10 points (six goals, four assists) in his past seven games, and Peterka has seven points (four goals, three assists) in his past four games. Nashville (18-24-7) has lost two straight after winning its previous five matches. Forward Filip Forsberg, who will represent Sweden in the 4 Nations Face-Off, has 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in his past 11 games for the Predators.
The Dallas Stars are set to host the Vancouver Canucks in their first game without star defenseman Miro Heiskanen, who will be sidelined due to injury. This matchup will be a test for the Stars as they look to fill the void left by Heiskanen’s absence.
The Canucks, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on the opportunity to face a Stars team without one of their key players. With their own talented roster, Vancouver will be aiming to take advantage of the situation and come away with a win on the road.
Both teams will be looking to secure two points in this important matchup, so it will be an exciting game to watch. Stay tuned for all the action as the Stars and Canucks face off in what promises to be an intense battle on the ice.
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Vancouver Canucks’ J.T. Miller talks to Elias Pettersson before the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, in Vancouver, on Jan. 25.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press
Jim Rutherford, president of hockey operations for the Vancouver Canucks, made a career as a small 5-foot-8 goaltender by overcoming any obstacles in his way, but he’s facing one now that he can’t seem to get past. He has two star players who apparently can’t stand one another: top centres J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson. And it’s put him and the organization in an unfathomable bind.
In the past, he has always felt like he could find a solution to any tricky situation, Rutherford told The Globe and Mail during an interview on Monday, “and I felt like for a long time that there was a solution here because everybody has worked on it, including the parties involved.”
“But it only gets resolved for a short period of time and then it festers again and so it certainly appears like there’s not a good solution that would keep this group together.”
While that may not come as a huge surprise to the Vancouver market – both players’ names have been connected to trades amid reports they have repeatedly clashed – it is still sobering to hear when the president of the team confirms it. And when he admits there is no solution that is likely to make anyone happy, well, then, reality really does sink in.
Of course, personality differences exist in every NHL dressing room. For as long as the league has existed, there have been situations where players haven’t liked one another. You would think that in this case, an alpha male who likes to push his weight around like Miller, 31, and a more sensitive and soft-spoken playerlike Pettersson, 26, could put their differences aside for the good of the team. But apparently not.
“We’ve had those conversations and I think the parties understand that and I think they’ve tried,” Rutherford said. “As you know, 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.”
It is, to put it mildly, a problem that could end up impacting the Canucks for years.
Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford, centre, general manager Patrik Allvin, back left, and head coach Rick Tocchet take part in a news conference in Vancouver, on Sept. 20, 2023.DARRYL DYCK/The Canadian Press
“We’re talking about two of our top players,” Rutherford said. “Certainly, our two best forwards. It can really be tough on a franchise – not only present but into the future – when you’re planning on peaking this team into a contending team and then you find out that’s not going to happen. Or at least it’s not going to happen with the group we have now. Then you have to put together a new plan.”
Last year, this situation seemed, well, unimaginable. The Canucks played a feisty, tightly-structured game that took them to the seventh game of the second round of the playoffs, which they ended up losing to the Edmonton Oilers, an eventual Stanley Cup finalist. It was a safe assumption that the team would take another step this year, and Pettersson in particular would be back to his old, prolific self. But that didn’t happen.
Pettersson hasn’t looked anything like the player who earned an eight-year, nearly $93-million contract last March, making him one of the top-paid forwards in the league. It’s often seemed like the burden of expectations that come with that sort of deal has been too much. Or maybe it’s been the problems he’s experiencing with Miller that have shaken his confidence. Doesn’t matter. He’s been a shell of his former self.
Miller hasn’t looked like the dominant player who roamed the ice last year either, one of the top two-way centres in the NHL. He missed 10 games this season when he had to step away from the team for personal reasons. Who knows if the situation with Pettersson has impacted his game as well. How could it not if it’s as bad as Rutherford makes it out to be?
But the whole team hasn’t looked the same either. This year’s version has, in recent weeks, taken down Toronto, Edmonton and Washington – three of the top teams in the league. But then other times, far too often, they have looked disorganized and disengaged. That’s the maddening part about it.
“When you don’t have chemistry, it’s hard to be that consistent team because there’s too much going on in the room for everybody to concentrate on what they’re supposed to do,” Rutherford said.
I asked Rutherford if he means the Miller-Pettersson drama has impacted the entire team.
“Yes, yup,” he said.
Rutherford and his general manager, Patrik Allvin, are uncertain if removing one of either Pettersson or Miller will fix the problem. “We don’t know,” Rutherford said. “We’ll just have to wait to find out. We’ll have to take it a step at a time. If we try and do it too fast, that’s really when you can make some mistakes.”
Of course, the Canucks’ problems are no secret. The entire world knows. This includes general managers who have been circling the team like vultures looking to make away with an outstanding meal for very little cost. Rutherford said he’d be doing the same if he were in their shoes. But he didn’t earn the reputation he has by buying high and selling low.
If the right deal doesn’t come along, it’s conceivable that both players could finish the season on the team. He said he’d rather not have to trade either player.
As much as he wants to fix the problem, he has to be smart about it. He can’t just sell Pettersson and Miller for multiple first-round picks and start over, for one simple reason – superstar defenceman and captain, Quinn Hughes.
Hughes is just 25 and entering his prime as a player. He could win multiple Norris trophies before his career is over. He does not want to be part of any rebuild in Vancouver. A retool perhaps, a rebuild definitely not.
“If we were going to completely start over, that means he goes,” Rutherford told The Globe. “And we’d like to figure out a way that he’s here forever.”
What does that look like?
“We’ll have to do the best we can in trades,” Rutherford said. “Whatever assets you get in return, you may turn them into something else. And we have to work our way back into being a contending team.”
Still, any way you look at it, the Canucks are in a vulnerable – scratch that – are in a lousy, horrible, rotten, just-about-as-bad-as-it-gets position. Both Miller and Pettersson are No. 1 centres. In these times, you don’t trade a No. 1 centre and get a No. 1 centre back. “Those deals aren’t going to be there,” Rutherford acknowledges.
“So yeah, if a centre goes out of here we have to get some kind of centre back but it’s not going to be the same as the centre going out. It might not even be a No. 2 centre, but you’d have to do the best with what we have until we figure out how to fill that spot back in.
“And then, of course, you have to get extra things [in any trade] that you can either use in the future to flip for NHL players now or for other positions or things like that.”
This won’t be music to the ears of Canucks fans, but Rutherford is just being honest. It’s not like he asked for this nightmare to be foisted on him because he was bored with winning.
What the Canucks look like at the end of this season is anyone’s guess. Odds are they are going to look at lot different and likely a lot less appealing. At least for a while.
The rift between Canucks teammates Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller has been a hot topic of discussion among fans and analysts alike. Many have speculated on the reasons behind their strained relationship, but according to a recent post by Rutherford, there may be no good solution in sight.
The post delves into the complexities of the situation, highlighting the challenges of managing two talented players who may have different personalities and playing styles. Rutherford suggests that the tension between Pettersson and Miller could be detrimental to the team’s success, but finding a resolution may not be easy.
With both players being key contributors to the Canucks’ lineup, it’s crucial for the coaching staff and management to address the issue promptly. However, as Rutherford points out, there may not be a quick fix to mend the relationship between Pettersson and Miller.
As fans eagerly await updates on the situation, it remains to be seen how the Canucks will navigate this rift and whether they can find a way to reconcile their differences for the greater good of the team.
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