Ron Hextall was very close to sending one of the best Pittsburgh Penguins' skaters to the Vancouver Canucks.

Sure, the NHL trade deadline is well in the past and the playoffs are the main focus of teams across the league, but the Pittsburgh Penguins were involved in one of the biggest moves that didn’t take place.

It’s no secret that the Penguins were interested in Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller, but a few more details about the failed deal have been revealed.

According to Frank Seravalli on the DFO Rundown podcast, the two teams were far enough along on a deal that multiple draft picks and players were involved.

Seravalli says that the Penguins were willing to give up a pair of first-round draft picks and that the Canucks were in the midst of scoping out teams to flip Jason Zucker.

If the deal was pulled off, it seems as if the Penguins would have traded away Zucker and high picks for Miller.

Zucker has been one of the best players on the Penguins’ roster this season, albeit a bit streaky at times.

In 73 games in 2022-23, Zucker has recorded 26 goals and 20 assists for 46 points, a number he hasn’t reached since the 2017-18 season still with a few games to add.

Zucker’s is in the final year of his contract and could be a worth while player to give an extension to.

As for Miller, he’s already 30-years-old and has a seven-year contract extension worth $8 million annually that doesn’t start until next season.

With 76 points (29G-47A) in 75 games on a very bad Canucks team, would Miller be worth that kind of money?

It’s hard to say, but the Penguins have gotten great work from Zucker this season that he shouldn’t be in consideration for a deal.

In the games surrounding the deadline, Zucker went on a tear and scored nine goals in eight games.

While the trade fell through at the deadline, Seravalli believes that the Canucks are still going to try and move Miller before his full no-move clause kicks in with the new contract.

The Penguins dodged the Miller bullet at the deadline, but there’s still a real possibility he arrives this summer.

Some of that, however, does ride on if Ron Hextall is still the Penguins general manager after this season.

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