Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin says he is open to making a trade, as long as it makes sense for the club.
He made the statement as rumors swirl around the future of center JT Miller.
“We will continue to study whether a transaction makes sense,” Allvin said at a press conference Monday. It is certain that with parity in the circuit, it is difficult to make transactions at this time of the year. This will be interesting to see over the next few weeks. »
The Canucks (20-15-10) have struggled with consistency throughout the season and are currently one point out of the final playoff spot in the West. In their last 10 games, the team is 3-5-2.
Injuries plagued the team’s season as well, beginning in training camp when it was announced that star goaltender Thatcher Demko would miss the start of the campaign while recovering from a rare injury. muscle in one knee. Winger Dakota Joshua did not start the season either, after undergoing treatment this summer for testicular cancer.
Other key players affected in the opening months of the season include sniper Brock Boeser (concussion), captain Quinn Hughes (undisclosed), forward Elias Pettersson (undisclosed) and Miller, who missed 10 matches for personal reasons.
“Over the course of a year, you have to face adversity. Injuries are part of the equation and we had our fair share of them in the first half. The lineup was affected almost every night,” Allvin said, adding that evaluating the group was difficult due to personnel movements.
“When we are healthy and everyone performs at their level, I believe we are a good team,” he said.
The problem is that several Canucks offensive stars have struggled this season, including Miller and Pettersson.
The 26-year-old Swede has 10 goals and 19 assists in 39 games, his first of eight campaigns under his US$92.8 million contract, signed in March. But Allvin assures that Pettersson is well aware of his production problems.
-“He takes his responsibilities,” said the GM. It’s a long process to become a star player in this league. He has not yet reached maturity and he is taking all means to get there. »
Miller has just three goals and 23 assists in 35 games, after setting career highs in goals (37) and points (103) last season, before adding three goals and 12 points in 13 games. playoffs.
When asked after Saturday’s victory over the Edmonton Oilers what Vancouver means to him, Miller said he’s focused on his game.
“I plan to be a Canuck today and tomorrow. What happens will happen, he said. I’m focusing on the next match. »
If a transaction makes sense and financially it works for the club, the Canucks are open, reiterated Allvin, who however believes that Vancouver still has a club capable of accomplishing great things.
“We’ve all seen it, when they play their best, they’re still very good players. Age-wise, this is an intriguing group, especially the core. They are committed, they want to get back to the level at which they are capable of playing. I still believe we have a very good core here. »
After last year’s playoff run — a seven-game elimination at the hands of the Oilers in the second round — many believed that the Canucks were going to be in the race again this season.
“I think this group is capable of making the playoffs,” Allvin said. That said, we are not qualified at the moment, so we need to have a better second half. »
