New York Islanders v Vancouver Canucks - Source: Getty — J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson have received question marks over their performance for Canucks this season (Source: Getty Images)

Canucks insider doubles down on Elias Pettersson & J.T. Miller's fractured relationship despite fiery responses from both players

Modified Dec 23, 2024 12:27 GMT

Rumors started circulating last week that Vancouver Canucks alternate captains J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson weren't on the same page when it came to playing together. Both players, in separate interviews, played down any possible rift between them. However, it is still very hard for the media to believe that the two stars on the Canucks roster are gelling well together.

Canucks insider Farhan Lalji, joining SC with Jay Onrait, stated that he didn't believe the pair had solved their issues. He mentioned that Captain Quinn Hughes and head coach Rick Tocchet downplaying the incident proved there were certainly some troubles they were looking to fix. He also suggested that the two players should focus on improving their game rather than claiming the rumors are entirely media-driven.

"Truly, I think this is a thing and I think it has been for the last few years in varying degrees. Now, I'm not sure anybody told Pettersson and Miller before their recent comments in the last couple of days that head coach Rick Tocchet and Captain Quinn Hughes at times earlier this week both acknowledged that, yeah, it is an issues."

"Hughes talked about the fact this is something they need to work through, but really, if you're these two players, rather than being offended and creating a scenario where you think this is all media-driven or social media-driven, how about you worry about your own game," Lalji said (1:37).

He reasoned that Pettersson has had struggles since the All-Star break and Miller has proven to be less influential since his return after sitting out for ten games due to personal reasons. As per Farhan, the Canucks duo need to look for ways to get their heads back in to the game, together.

"...And you know people have suggested that, okay, they're not putting the two men together out on the power play, but they did play them together short-handed. Rick Tocchet has put the Lotto Line back together at various times, so whether they're together or apart, the chemistry simply isn't there, and they've got to find a way to work it out between them. Because the thought that there's nothing there, I'm not buying," Lalji added.

J.T. Miller accepts lapse in concentration in game vs. Senators

In the same interview where he downplayed any conflict with Pettersson, J.T. Miller also acknowledged making two glaring mistakes in the game against the Ottawa Senators, which Vancouver lost 5-4 in overtime. He took responsibility for both the shorthanded goal and the game-ending OT goal.

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"I made a mistake, obviously very rarely (are) they running set plays on the penalty kill but it's my guy I didn't even know he was there. I (was) just trying to pick off that first pass and didn't realize the guy was up behind me until I turned around so that's on me. I got to be more focused and same with the overtime goal, those are both my faults so try not to duplicate mistakes and shit happens. It's long season, unfortunately cost us the game last night so hopefully I can help us out tomorrow," Miller said (2:32).

If the Canucks are to find sustained form, they'll need both Miller and Pettersson to return to their best. They are 2-2-3 from their last seven games heading into their final match before the Christmas break against the San Jose Sharks.