Insider links Maple Leafs to J.T. Miller

There are a lot of talks already on the Toronto Maple Leafs using their long-term injury reserve to free up some cap space prior to the trade deadline and the postseason.

On Tuesday, head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed that Jake Muzzin, who was injured in a collision with Canadiens defenseman Chris Wideman on Monday, is going to go through concussion and could miss an extended period of time.

And we assume Toronto would place him on LTIR, which would give general manager Kyle Dubas the space to add on. If that happens, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman would love to see the Maple Leafs going after Vancouver Canucks’ J.T. Miller. And just like that, Miller was linked to Toronto.

“If Dubas is gonna be able to use his LTI space, I think that’s gonna make things really interesting for him. I’m on the JT Miller train.”

The chatter on Miller keeps changing only because he is so good and the most reliable forward in Vancouver at the moment. The Canucks have reeled him in for now, but could get an offer presented that they simple cannot refuse.

Whatever the Canucks end up doing with Miller, it’s clear that there will be interest for him on the trade market whether they like it or not. And, it’s easy to see why. The versatile forward has 18 goals and 53 points in 50 games and is a huge part of the team’s offence. Sure, young stars like Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes get more of the limelight in Vancouver, but to me Miller is the team’s best player full stop. He can play forward or the wing, he can drive offence on his own or he can be more of a support player if needed. In short, he’s a coach’s dream and I could see many teams lining up to add him to their roster.

He’s been linked in the past to the Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild and the New York Rangers.
And Friedman wants the Maple Leafs on that same list!