More dressing room issues in Vancouver despite Miller trade…

There is a whole lot more being said about Friday’s blockbuster trade that sent forward J.T. Miller from the Vancouver Canucks to the New York Rangers. Insider Frank Seravalli has recently revealed on Sportsnet 590 how some Canucks players are not happy at all that Miller was the one traded away by Vancouver.

Miller was shipped to the Rangers, along with defenseman Erik Brannstrom and Jackson Dorrington’s player rights for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini and a first-round pick (protected for a top-13 selection). While the move felt unavoidable in Vancouver, the tension in the dressing room remains as Seravalli explained how players are frustrated with management for not getting a different type of move accomplished. He added that many Canucks have been grumbling about the move, feeling it wasn’t one that the team necessarily required or wanted.

Clearly, the dressing room issues are not over in Vancouver despite the Miller trade, which was heavily criticized by former NHL player Ryan Whitney. He said if he were a Canucks fan right now, he would be absolutely furious that Miller was traded, adding that the wrong guy was moved out …

Does he mean Elias Pettersson should have been the one out of Vancouver?

Pettersson is under fire now, even more than before, as he does not have a scapegoat for his struggles. The Canucks’ struggles had often been blamed on the public rift between Miller and Pettersson, but with Miller out, Pettersson needs to improve and fast.

The Canucks might have blanked the Colorado Avalanche last night, Pettersson failed to record a point. And who knows how his teammates have been reacting to his ongoing struggles.

Because Seravalli’s report and the ongoing chatter of a feud still present in the Canucks’ dressing room are spreading quickly and who knows could lead. Pettersson now has the weight of the franchise on his back and it might be too much for him to handle…