Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller. Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Speculation grows that J.T. Miller may have been forced to take leave after crossing Rick Tocchet

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Tom Banks | Last updated Dec 3, 2024 5:01 PM ET

J.T. Miller is on leave from the Vancouver Canucks, but now speculation has begun that it may not have been his decision after crossing Rick Tocchet.

The story of Miller in Vancouver has been an intriguing one this season, as the veteran has taken a leave of absence from the team with little indication that a return is anywhere on the horizon.

Reportedly, this absence is for Miller to take a mental reset after he has been struggling off the ice, with other speculation that it could be something worse.

Now, the former NHLers and hosts Cam Jensen and Andy Strickland of the "Cam and Strick Podcast" have now speculated that Miller could have crossed a line with Tocchet, forcing the team to ask him to step away for a certain amount of time.

It's unclear when Miller will be returning, and if this is indeed true, it could cause a major shakeup in Vancouver as they believe they are right on the cusp of a Stanley Cup run.

This speculation, however, seemingly comes purely from the reputation that Miller has built over his strong presence in a locker room over the years. While it makes sense that Miller would want a mental reset, the lack of transparency has suggested that it may be something more.

On top of that, trade speculation continues around Miller, with New York and Boston both identified as potential landing spots.

Speculation from the "Spittin' Chiclets" podcast suggests that he may not see eye-to-eye with Elias Pettersson, a key part of the Canucks lineup. While this is all speculation for now, keep a close eye on this situation moving forward as Vancouver potentially look to make a shock trade in 2024-25.

Canucks president Jim Rutherford spoke out amid the rumors and speculation. He didn't mince words. Is Rutherford true to his word? Only time will tell.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: