The Vancouver Canucks could trade their 2021-22 leading scorer, J.T. Miller, in the coming weeks.

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The 29-year-old American is coming off his best season of his career, having amassed 99 points in 80 games. He could become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2023 and the BC club don't want to take the chance of losing him for nothing in return.

However, the ball seems to be in Miller's court, who could sign a contract extension with the Canucks on July 13.

"We are in the early stages [of negotiations] right now," president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford told Sportsnet. Émilie [Castonguay] takes care of it. We are just preparing to know where we are and what we want to do.”

The Quebecer, hired as assistant to the general manager last January, is responsible for contracts with the Canucks.

"The thing I can say is that we would love to get along with J.T.," Rutherford said. But we also understand that we are dealing with an unrestricted free agent [in 2023] who is a very good player. How far can we go when we have other contracts to take care of? At some point, both sides will have the opportunity to make that decision. But I think it's mutual, from everything I've been told. He wants to be back with us and we would like him to sign another contract. We will have a better understanding of this over the next month.”

In 2022-23, Miller will sign a five-year deal that pays him $5.25 million per season. He will certainly be looking for a substantial salary increase. According to the specialized website sportrac.com, the Canucks will have approximately $33 million available on their payroll for the 2023-2024 season. Until then, the British Columbia organization must however agree on new contracts with several good elements of its training, including forward Brock Boeser.