Canucks drama: J.T. Miller compared to former toxic Jets captain

Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller. James Guillory-Imagn Images

Vancouver Canucks' locker room drama: J.T. Miller gets compared to former toxic Winnipeg Jets captain

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Julien Trekker | Last updated Jan 18, 2025 3:02 PM ET

With the ongoing drama in the Vancouver Canucks' locker room, J.T. Miller was compared to former toxic Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler.

The rift between J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson is causing a lot of debates in the NHL. But after watching the team drop to the fifth rank in the Central Division's standings, we can't deny that it affects the players.

Notably, J.T. Miller has been unrecognizable on the ice. It even forced Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet to bench him.

He made a massive comment on his player's disappointing struggles following a 5-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

Here's what he said:

"He is struggling. He is caught in between. It seems like every time he is on the ice, something bad happens. I think he has some bad luck, but he also has some reads that he has to look at himself right now and focus on some of these reads. I mean, you can't dive in on a four-on-four, things like that. I think he is trying, but I think the focus level has to get a little higher."

A new comparison is making waves among hockey fans. Indeed, insider Darren Dreger noted that the situation in Vancouver is similar to what was witnessed in Winnipeg a few years ago, with the toxic environment in the team's locker room due to Blake Wheeler's antics.

He discussed that in a recent statement:

Wheeler was reportedly the cause of the team's struggles a few years back, before being stripped of his captaincy and being forced to sign at a reduced rate with the New York Rangers.

At the time, the Hockey Writers covered that topic in a report:

"For the past few years, rumblings around the hockey world have suggested that the Jets' locker room is 'toxic.' Both former captain Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele have been at the forefront of those rumors. Before he was stripped of the captaincy, Wheeler served as the team's leader for seven years. It was as if he and Scheifele were the "top dogs" and everyone else had to fall in line."

Miller and Wheeler were important to the success of their respective organizations — until they weren't. Before it's too late, the Canucks seem poised to make a decision soon.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: