Lightning trade F Miller to Canucks

The Tampa Bay Lightning freed up salary cap space Saturday by trading forward J.T. Miller to the Vancouver Canucks. The Lightning receives goaltender prospect Marek Mazanec plus a third-round pick in Saturday's draft and a conditional first-round pick in either 2020 or 2021.

The Canucks take on Miller's $5.25 million annual salaries through 2023. That gives much-needed breathing room to the Lightning, who had just $5.9 million in cap space before the deal. "J.T. Miller is an experienced and versatile offensive contributor," Canucks GM Jim Benning said in a release from the club. "This deal is about acquiring a player who can have an immediate impact on our top six forward groups. ... The pick we've given is conditional meaning if we're involved in the 2020 draft lottery, it moves to 2021 as a first-round selection."

Miller, 26, plays all three forward spots and has scored at least 40 points in each of the past four seasons. He registered 13 goals and 34 assists in 75 games in his first full season with the Lightning in 2018-19. Miller previously played for the New York Rangers.

--Field Level Media