Why is Elias Pettersson skating slower? The Vancouver Canucks star’s NHL Edge data is stark: In the span of two seasons, his top skating velocity has gone from one of the NHL’s fastest to below average.

Jim Rutherford didn’t cut into the trade value of either J.T. Miller or Elias Pettersson with his comments on Tuesday. Reports about a rift between the Vancouver Canucks’ top two forwards have been prevalent all season.

VANCOUVER -- J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson have a strained relationship that has negatively impacted the Vancouver Canucks, and president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford isn’t sure how to rectify the problem, admitting it may require trades he doesn’t want to make.

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.

The Sabres have the assets to entice Vancouver into a trade. The bigger question is what, exactly, Buffalo might have to give up.

Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford told the media Tuesday that there doesn’t appear to be a way forward with the current roster and the ongoing issues between forwards J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson.