The Vancouver Canucks made a splash at their home draft on Saturday, acquiring forward J.T. Miller from the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Canucks sent goalie Marek Mazanec to Tampa with a 2019 third-round draft pick and a 2020 conditional selection. If Vancouver is involved in the 2020 draft lottery, the pick will become a first-rounder for 2021.
Miller, 26, had 13 goals and 34 assists for the Lightning last season.
The native of East Palestine, Ohio, is known as a dynamic forward who can play all three positions.
“J.T. Miller is an experienced and versatile offensive contributor,” Canucks general manager Jim Benning said in a statement. “This deal is about acquiring a player who can have an immediate impact in our top-six forward group for term.”
#Canucks GM Jim Benning on J.T. Miller: pic.twitter.com/7XZyl3cCLF
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) June 22, 2019
Miller was originally selected 15th overall by the Rangers in 2011 and spent six seasons in New York before he was dealt to Tampa Bay in 2018.
The Canucks got Mazanec from the Nashville Predators in February but he did not play for Vancouver last season.
The NHL draft kicked off in Vancouver on Friday night, with the New Jersey Devils taking American forward Jack Hughes first overall.
The Canucks took Russian forward Vasily Podkolzin with the 10th pick.
ALSO READ: Canucks pick Russian forward Vasily Podkolzin 10th overall
The Canadian Press
