THN.com/prospects. From November 2022 Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk2MzY0OTU3NzMyODQxNDEx/usatsi_20163573.jpg] With the 2023 NHL trade deadline now history, Vancouver Canucks management could face some big decisions during the off-season. Among them could be shipping out J.T. Miller or Brock Boeser in cost-cutting moves. CapFriendly [https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/canucks] indicates the Canucks have $82.55 million invested in 15 roster players for 2023-24. Assuming the cap rises again by just $1 million, they'll have $945,000 in cap space to fill out the remainder of their roster. The Province's Patrick Johnston [https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/canucks-trade-deadline-is-over-but-miller-boeser-trade-chatter-will-go-on] looked at some cost-cutting options. Trading Miller before his seven-year, $56-million contract extension kicks in on July 1 could be something to consider. Johnston noted the Canucks engaged in talks with other clubs about Miller before the trade deadline. GM Patrik Allvin said a team called about the 29-year-old center's availability but didn't make an offer. Whether related or not, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette's Matt Vensel [https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2023/02/28/jt-miller-trade-pittsburgh-penguins-vancouver-canucks-jakob-chychrun-nhl-trade-deadline/stories/202302280114] reported the Pittsburgh Penguins and Canucks reached an impasse on Miller earlier last week. According to Johnston, the Canucks were interested in bringing in a young center to replace Miller. He believes it would've been a complicated deal involving more than one trade and more than one team. Moving Boeser and his $6.65-million annual cap hit through 2024-25 is another possibility. The Canucks aren't interested in retaining salary, but Johnston believes the 26-year-old winger would be a more appealing trade candidate if they reduced his cap hit to around $5 million.
