The tremors from the Mikko Rantanen blockbuster were still echoing around the league when another bomb dropped in Vancouver this week.

The Rangers are now the heavy favorites to acquire J.T. Miller after the Hurricanes traded for Mikko Rantanen.

Last week’s Mikko Rantanen blockbuster has stirred up trade anticipation amongst NHL fans. And as the March 7 NHL trade deadline approaches, fans are left to ponder who could be the next notable name on the move.

Here are three blockbuster Avalanche trade targets in the wake of the stunning Mikko Rantanen trade with the Hurricanes.

Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller had little to say when asked about team president Jim Rutherford’s comments confirming the ongoing rift between him and Elias Pettersson. “I don’t have one,” Miller told reporters when asked for his thoughts on Rutherford’s remarks.

Will he re-sign in Carolina after this season -- and if not, where else? And what will other contenders do to keep pace ahead of the March 7 deadline?

A report that the Canucks were in trade talks with the Hurricanes before the Rantanen trade is part of the recent speculation regarding Miller and Pettersson.

New Hurricanes star winger Mikko Rantanen was reportedly blindsided by his trade from the Avalanche on Friday.

The only reason J.T. Miller is being shopped by the Vancouver Canucks is because of his untenable relationship with star teammate Elias Pettersson. And that should make a team like the New York Rangers pause before trading for the 31-year-old forward. So says NHL insider Darren Dreger of TSN.

In the NHL, all news is local. The blockbuster trade that saw Mikko Rantanen, Taylor Hall, and Martin Necas end up on new teams has shaken the league, but it mi

Canucks management's next steps with their star centers are crucial in the wake of Friday's three-team blockbuster.

Their need for a top-end center has been well documented." The post NHL insider: Bruins remain as a ‘dark horse’ in J.T. Miller sweepstakes appeared first on Boston.com.