NHL Rumors: Insider Links Maple Leafs/Canucks Blockbuster

Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet dropped a bomb during the latest Toronto Maple Leafs game as one of the NHL's best insiders brought up Vancouver Canucks forward J.T Miller has a legit trade target for the Leafs.

Friedman sees Miller as an option if Toronto is to move defenseman Jake Muzzin and his $5.65 million salary onto the LTIR. Muzzin recently missed seven games with a concussion, came back and ended up involved in a blind side hit with Montreal Canadiens defenseman Chris Wideman. Muzzin is now out indefinitely and his season is in limbo.

Freak accident ..Jake Muzzin and Chris Wideman collide pic.twitter.com/4uAqUKpmhS

— JeSuisCH🏒BleuBlancRouge (@HabsHappy) February 22, 2022

As for Miller, Friedman sees him as the perfect fit for the Maple Leafs as the second line has been struggling lately, centered by John Tavares and flanked by Alex Kerfoot and William Nylander. To this point the Canucks don't appear to be willing to move on any of their big stars but are willing to listen. 

Friedman had this to say on the Jeff Marek show on Wednesday regarding the latest trade buzz out of Toronto:

Cont'd:

They have prospects that Vancouver would want, but Toronto's very protective of some of those prospects and have made it very clear they won't do them for rentals. Miller's not a rental but you're taking the same risk everyone else would, what's he going to do in a year?

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) February 23, 2022

Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas has made it clear to other teams, if you want our first-round pick, don't be offering rentals. This stems from last season where the Leafs moved their top pick for zero goals and 11 total games from Nick Foligno. To this point it does seem like a stretch we see these two teams complete a blockbuster deal but if Muzzin lands on LTIR, anything is possible. 

Photo credit:  Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports