Report: Canucks' Miller, Boeser generating trade interest

Vancouver Canucks forwards J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser are generating trade interest, and it appears the club is exploring its options.

"It seems like it's open season for the Vancouver Canucks," TSN's Darren Dreger reported Tuesday. "It's not a fire sale, so don't misunderstand that, but we're talking about J.T. Miller, and we're talking about Brock Boeser."

Dreger added that "there is strong market interest" in both players and that the Canucks are "interested in listening."

Vancouver isn't just seeking future assets in return if they trade Miller or Boeser, either.

"The Canucks aren't just in the market for draft picks," Dreger said. "They need good, young players - NHL players - in return."

Miller is entering the final year of his contract with a $5.25-million cap hit before becoming an unrestricted free agent. The 29-year-old is coming off a career-best 99-point campaign.

The Canucks were rumored to be shopping Miller ahead of the 2022 trade deadline, but they ultimately kept the versatile forward. He's excelled playing both center and wing in recent years.

Boeser, a winger, is a restricted free agent with a qualifying offer of $7.5 million. The 25-year-old sniper recorded 23 goals and 23 assists while playing a career-high 71 games last season. He's averaged 30 goals and 35 assists per 82 games throughout his six-year career.

Vancouver projects to have $9.7 million in cap space this offseason, according to CapFriendly. They're deep up front - especially with the recent addition of KHL star Andrei Kuzmenko - but they could use some help on defense.

Captain Bo Horvat, a 2023 UFA, and slick Swede Elias Pettersson, a 2024 RFA, are due for raises in the coming years. It may be difficult to keep all four of Miller, Boeser, Horvat, and Pettersson under the hard salary cap moving forward.

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