While we'll never know the specific details regarding the reported rift between Vancouver Canucks stars J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson, they aren't necessarily ours to know. We do know that the combination of the rift and disappointing, lifeless play from the Canucks has led to legit trade consideration for both players.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported last week that Pettersson, whose eight-year, $92 million extension kicks in next year, indicated to the Canucks' front office that he wants to stay, and that is also the team's preference.

Miller also has a more manageable contract (seven years, $8 million cap hit), and some feistiness to his game that general managers eat up at the trade deadline. It's looking more likely that the 31-year-old center/winger gets moved, especially since it nearly happened.

According to Friedman, a trade between the Rangers and Canucks came so close that Miller almost sat out against the Oilers last Saturday, but the deal fell apart.

Before the Miller sweepstakes really starts popping off, why don't we power-rank the top five teams that could really use a veteran, versatile, top-six forward with some term?

These rankings will combine common sense, present playoff hopes, future needs, cap-space projections and general vibes. It's not necessarily who we think will end up with Miller, but a combination of who needs him and who can practically get him.

5. Dallas Stars

The Stars love maintaining a forward roster full of young, unsuspecting scorers with upside and proven veterans who still have plenty of goals to score and two-way ability to boot.

They typically look to stock up their defense at the trade deadline, as defense is the crux of their game. But the Stars will have some roster flexibility, considering Tyler Seguin is expected to stay on LTIR until the end of the season. Thinking ahead, captain Jamie Benn's $9.5 million cap hit will expire at the end of the season.

With perhaps some help via salary retention, the Stars could make a trade for J.T. Miller work. It'd be unconventional for them, but after a few years of solid consistency with no Cup to show for it, maybe an unconventional trade deadline and more scoring are the ways to go.

4. New Jersey Devils

What do you get the girl who has everything?

The Devils might not desperately need another top-six winger/forward, but imagine how luxurious that would be? Plus, we've seen some concerning trends in both the team's collective two-way game and offense this month.

We could see Miller adding some snarl and toughness on Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes' wings without hindering their skill. He would also be the perfect almost utility add for a deep playoff run where plenty of forwards could get injured.

The Devils fixed their defense and goaltending in the offseason (fingers crossed the Jacob Markstrom injury is minor). At the deadline, they will be seeking extra scoring help in a forward or a winger.

Why not get two in one?

3. New York Rangers

The Rangers are the famous team that couldn't get a deal done with Vancouver a few weeks back.

According to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli, they were unwilling to take on Miller's full, $8 million cap hit.

According to Friedman, New York's offer that almost came to fruition was Filip Chytil, a first-rounder and a prospect.

Hmm.

The Rangers are picking up steam again as they inch back toward the East's wild-card race. We almost ranked them No. 2 instead of No. 3 because they've got more urgency and desperation than most on this list. But we might look back and realize that's why they shouldn't have jumped the gun on Miller.

Defense is an issue, as is an ice-cold at times core forward group. Adding someone else expecting significant playing time and a big role could risk the chemistry that's finally picking back up. Then you have to ask what the future holds for this team. If there is some real restructuring to do—which Chris Drury has already begun—you wonder if surrendering Chytil, a first-rounder and a prospect is too much.

For the Rangers, a J.T. Miller reacquisition may have made more sense in the upcoming offseason, if the team is parting ways with Mika Zibanejad.

Miller would make the Rangers a better team, but so would a defenseman or seven. The amount of question marks around the club means a big move could go either way, and refusal to take on his full cap hit seems like it's a risk the Rangers aren't totally ready to take.

2. Carolina Hurricanes

J.T. Miller and his faceoff prowess seem like a great fit for head coach Rod Brind'Amour, right?

If the Hurricanes aren't going to put Martin Necas at center anytime soon—and they've had years to do that, so they aren't—they could use a second-line center with a higher scoring ceiling than Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

Don't get us wrong: Kotkaniemi is a fine third-line center with an underrated defensive ability, but the Hurricanes have been hurting for top-center scoring since Vincent Trocheck left.

The Canes have historically been keen on taking on long-term contracts for the right fit. The front office would have to jump through considerable hoops to get this done financially, and they don't have much to offer the Canucks in a competitive sweepstakes. But maybe the Canucks particularly love a certain Canes player and/or a prospect.

1. Columbus Blue Jackets

Every single day, the Blue Jackets look less like just a feel-good story and more like the real thing poised to make a decent playoff run. The team is currently in a playoff spot, the explosive scoring keeps coming through in moments like Adam Fantilli's first career hat trick Wednesday, and the confidence is growing.

GM Don Waddell told Sportsnet's Jeff Marek recently that he's not opposed to adding at the trade deadline—if it makes sense for the future and the team is still thriving.

"We're looking at if we can improve our team through hockey trades and all that," Waddell said. "...I owe it to the players, I owe it to the fans, I owe it to the ownership that if we're in the hunt, we've got to try to continue at least to stay in the hunt and play it out and see how it goes."

Look, 31-year-old Miller isn't a spring chicken, and the contract might get a bit tough to stomach in its final year or two. But every rebuild needs some veteran presence, and this would be the "great for the present, OK for the future" move that is a risk a team like this could feel good about taking on.

Columbus needs some defensive discipline at center, and Miller could provide that with a scoring flare.

The Blue Jackets have more than enough cap space, and remember the implosion of the Rangers trade reportedly revolved around retention.