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Ryan Whitney doesn’t mince his words over ‘disaster brewing’ between Canucks’ Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller

Modified Dec 23, 2024 17:09 GMT

Vancouver Canucks star forwards Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller's fractured relationship has become the talk of the hockey world. After Miller's personal leave of absence where he missed 10 consecutive games, speculation has risen about why he took time off.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman has since said there is plenty of tension between the two Canucks, and that it's begun to take a toll on everyone else in the organization.

Former NHL defenseman and co-host of the popular podcast "Spittin' Chiclets" Ryan Whitney spoke on the matter on Monday morning.

"I don't want to trade either one of these guys, that's the thing," Whitney said. "And I don't, I just don't understand how it's gotten this ugly. How are you going to get the return back that that these guys would both bring, based on teams circling around you, knowing it's a disaster brewing in the locker room, and that you have to trade one of them.

"So, like, that's the aspect of like, we're gonna get fleeced on the return of one of these guys if we have to move them, because the whole world knows how much they can't stand each other."

Whitney believes Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller's relationship is damaged beyond repair.

"It's past the point of no return. This, it is agreed. Oh yeah, this has been going on for three, four years, if they haven't hashed it out by now. To me, I think one of them is for sure, getting traded, whether it's a week from now, a month from now, six months from now," Whitney added.

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Elias Pettersson played his best hockey of the season in J.T. Miller's absence

Elias Pettersson has had a subpar start to his 2024-2025 campaign. He recorded 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) in 33 games, 0.788 points per game, which would be the lowest rate he's put up in his career.

However, during J.T. Miller's leave of absence, Pettersson had his most productive stretch of the season. He racked up 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) in that 10-game span, whereas he's struggled to the tune of just 11 points (six goals, five assists) in the 23 games he's played with Miller in the lineup.

This may just be a coincidence, though it's hard not to connect the dots and determine that their rift might be affecting their play on the ice.

Whitney also shared his thoughts on which star player he would want to keep.

"But if I'm Vancouver, I'm probably trading JT Miller solely based on the fact that he's 31 years old. Pettersson's 26 years old. So you just look like, alright, if we can get this guy happy and looking like he did, like he has not been the player he we saw as a rookie coming into the league in a calendar year," Whitney added.

It certainly will be interesting to follow this storyline moving forward. The Canucks host the San Jose Sharks (11-19-6) tonight at Rogers Arena, the puck drops at 9 p.m. EST.