J. T. Miller
Position: C
Age: 31
Statistics: eight goals, 23 assists, 31 points (35 games)
Contract: Six years, $48 million (remaining)
Player Overview
J. T. Miller has had a good hockey career. In his stints with the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning, he was a 40-50 point player. However, once he moved to the Vancouver Canucks, his offensive game took a turn for the better.
Miller has been a solid producer for the Canucks and he was rewarded with his most recent contract. He surpassed the 70-point mark during the 2019-20 season. The last three seasons Miller has had 99 points, 82 points, and a career-high 103 points, respectively. He is a three-time 30 goal scorer and a premier playmaker.
Let’s focus on this season. Right now, he has 31 points in 35 games and is on pace for 56 points. That would be his lowest output over the last few seasons. Miller might not be the bonafide goal scorer that the Devils could covet, but he does impact the game in big ways. He is a premiere playmaker and is good at setting up the goal. Of his 23 assists this season, 16 of them are primary.
Miller can do alot of things well under the surface. He is unafraid to mix things up and brings the physicality to the ice, which should bring Devils fans joy. Also, he has been good on the power play for the Canucks. In the last three seasons he has had 108 points with the man advantage. 12 of his 31 points have come on the power play this year. Miller is a good talent and a talent worth looking into if you are general manager Tom Fitzgerald.
Contract
Miller is quite the player, but his contract could pose a problem when it comes to acquiring him. Miller signed a seven-year contract worth $56 million which is good for an annual average value of $8 million per season. This will carry him until the age 37 season.
When it does come to acquiring him, he does have a no-movement clause in his contract. As a player, it’s security in the event he cannot be moved at will. In order to facilitate a trade, Miller would need to waive his clause and be willing to accept coming over to the Devils.
Potential Fit for the Devils
This isn’t coming out of nowhere. The Devils have reportedly been kicking the tires on Miller. According to Cam Robinson, the Devils have begun kicking the tires and seeing if a deal can get done. He is not alone in this report. Nick Kypreos has also said keep an eye out for New Jersey regarding Miller and Pettersson. Though, on the flip side of that, as recent as recent as Saturday, David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period said the Devils are not one of the team’s with permission to talk to Miller about waiving his no-movement clause.
When you think of acquiring Miller, there is a fit into their lineup. While the Devils do need to shore up their bottom-six with a boost of production, adding Miller gives them a dynamic player that also allows them to push some guys down the lineup brining more depth. Miller can play center, but can also shift to the wing. Imagine him centering both Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. There is the chance that Miller could slot down and center the third line and give the Devils three legitimate scoring lines.
When you look at the Devils from a production standpoint, Hughes (55 points) and Bratt (52 points) are leading the way. There is a bit of gap, then, Hischier and Meier having reached the 30-point plateau. Adding Miller gives them an added goal scorer and point producer. For a team that plans on winning the Stanley Cup, adding Miller helps get them closer to that goal and with him being locked up for the rest of the decade is even better.
Simon Nemec is not happy with his situation with the Devils
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) January 17, 2025pic.twitter.com/ZWiOSnIO45
Potential Package
This is not the Devils of old. This team constructed by general manager Tom Fitzgerald is a perennial cup contender and has the core to bring a championship back to the state of New Jersey. In order to get, you have to give.
One player that could be in play is defenseman Simon Nemec. The Devils have a surplus of prospect defenseman that also includes Seamus Casey and newest addition, Anton Silayev. Nemec has become disgruntled with him being in the AHL and believes he deserves to be in the NHL. He is a player that could be a legit building block for the Canucks moving forward.
The biggest hurdle is going to be money. Whether the Canucks retain salary remains a mystery. According to Puck Pedia, the Devils have just $1.24 million in available salary cap space. So, to make money work you, could add Dawson Mercer to this equation or maybe convince Ondrej Palat to waive his no-movement clause and be part of this trade.
The Canucks likely would want draft compensation and the Devils have the picks to move. It is going to be a haul to land Miller, but if the Devils can move assets that won’t be with the big club, then this is the time to do so.