In a significant trade, the New York Rangers have obtained J.T. Miller from the Vancouver Canucks, alongside defensemen Erik Brannstrom and Jackson Dorrington. In exchange, the Canucks will receive Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a 2025 first-round pick that is top-13 protected, which could transfer to 2026 if it falls within that range. The deal does not involve salary retention for Miller, marking a critical point in negotiations. Miller's return to the Rangers comes after he spent the first six seasons of his career with the team before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Brannstrom, who has 10 goals and 67 assists in 294 NHL games, has previously played six seasons with the Ottawa Senators and is currently with the Canucks. Dorrington, a 20-year-old draft pick from 2022, has not yet appeared in an NHL game and has spent his college career at Northeastern University.

The Vancouver Canucks have made a significant trade, sending J.T. Miller, Erik Brannstrom, and Jackson Dorrington to the New York Rangers in exchange for Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a protected first-round draft pick. Miller agreed to waive his no-trade clause, which facilitates this deal, and the Canucks will not retain any salary. The 31-year-old Miller has a cap hit of $8 million for five more seasons and returns to the team where he started his career. Brannstrom, a pending RFA, has a $900,000 cap hit and was drafted 15th overall in 2017. Dorrington, a sixth-round pick in 2022, has not yet signed his entry-level contract.

The Rangers receive an experienced playmaker in Miller, who has had a challenging season in terms of finishing but has a proven record. Analysts express mixed feelings about the trade's value, with concern about the age of the centers now on the Rangers' roster, as well as speculation regarding the future of star center Mika Zibanejad. The trade could potentially allow Elias Pettersson to flourish more without Miller on the roster, addressing Vancouver’s immediate needs and setting the stage for further moves.

The Vancouver Canucks have placed defenseman Erik Brännström on waivers, marking a notable turn in his time with the team. The 25-year-old, who was originally acquired from the Colorado Avalanche, has struggled to maintain a regular presence in the Canucks' lineup, having been a healthy scratch for the past six games. As of now, he has recorded three goals and eight assists in 28 games this season while averaging just under 15 minutes of ice time.

This marks the second time Brännström has faced waivers, the first occurrence happening in October shortly after his arrival in Vancouver. If he clears waivers, he is expected to be assigned to the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks.

The decision to assign Brännström may suggest that fellow defenseman Filip Hronek is nearing a return to the Canucks. Hronek has been sidelined since November 27 due to a lower-body injury but is currently on a conditioning stint in Abbotsford, which allows him to practice while the Canucks are out on a five-game road trip.

The NHL season returns with a twelve-game slate on January 2, 2024, providing ample opportunities for daily fantasy sports enthusiasts. The top three teams with the highest implied totals are the Tampa Bay Lightning, Colorado Avalanche, and Vegas Golden Knights, indicating potential high-scoring matchups. Players are advised to keep an eye on injury news as they prepare their lineups for contests on DraftKings and FanDuel.

In goal, Filip Gustavsson stands out despite facing the Washington Capitals, having recently demonstrated solid performance metrics. Nathan MacKinnon is highlighted as a top center choice against the Buffalo Sabres, while Jake Guentzel is noted for his favorable matchup against the San Jose Sharks. Erik Brannstrom and Ty Smith are recommended defensemen due to their roles on their respective teams' power-play units.

The Vancouver Canucks faced a tough defeat against the Boston Bruins, losing 5-1 despite a strong performance from goaltender Thatcher Demko. The Bruins dominated early, scoring three goals in the first period and maintaining control throughout the game.

Max Sasson managed to score the Canucks' only goal, marking his first NHL goal. The game also saw notable performances from Bruins players Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and Pavel Zacha, contributing significantly to the scoreline.