https://bostonhockeynow.com/2022/02/15/boston-bruins-now-know-trade-cost-for-j-t-miller/
If the Boston Bruins were wondering what it’s going to cost to land Vancouver Canucks forward JT Miller, they discovered the trade market value ahead of next month’s deadline with the Tyler Toffoli trade to the Calgary Flames.
The struggling Montreal Canadiens sent their solid 29-year-old winger to Calgary to be reunited with Darryl Sutter in exchange for a 2022 first-round pick, a 2024 fifth-round pick, bottom-6 forward Tyler Pitlick, and prospect Emil Heineman. It’s a clear sign by the Calgary Flames that they are going for it this season with a talented core group that currently sits second in the Pacific Division, and a clear waving of the white flag by the hapless Habs.
But for Boston’s interests, it’s the similarity between Toffoli and Miller that’s so interesting. They are comparable veteran forwards that both have additional years on their contracts, so they would be considered comparable in many ways. The 28-year-old Miller might have the upper hand given that he’s got that one 27-goal, a 74-point campaign under his belt, and given the versatility that allows him to play both center and wing.
Then again Toffoli has the advantage when it comes to playoff experience as a Stanley Cup winner that’s posted 16 goals in 76 career playoff games and been to the Stanley Cup Finals twice in his career with the Kings (2014) and the Canadiens just last season.
The bottom line for the Boston Bruins: The bar has been set for Miller’s value with one more year on his contract with a $5.25 million cap hit. It’s going to cost them a first-round pick, an additional draft pick, a top prospect like Jack Studnicka, and a roster player like Jake DeBrusk to replace the outgoing Miller. The question is whether Studnicka would be enough to get the deal done, or whether a team like the Canucks would demand first round pick Fabian Lysell after the speedy Swede light it up for the WHL’s Vancouver Giants all season. The 19-year-old Lysell has 15 goals and 34 points in 30 games for the Giants this season and is clearly on a lot of team’s radars as we enter the funny season for trade chatter and all kinds of rumors ahead of the deadline.
There’s little question that Miller could help the Bruins. He’s got over 150 goals and 400 points in his 604 game career, and his 17 goals and 48 points this season would rank third and second respectively amongst the current Boston Bruins roster. He also brings a little thump to his game as everyone remembers from this Miller hit on David Backes during the playoffs a few years’ back that knocked the power forward out of the series.
I disagree that Miller and Toffoli are "comparable". The fact that Miller is a center AND a winger destroys the comparison article right then and there. This means that Miller is easily worth allt of the above, PLUS more.