Quoting: JonnyLamoriello
So flip him. If he returns just a third round pick, as you say, then you're getting a 1st, 3rd, and Holmstrom for Miller. You're not going to do any better at the trade deadline. And if all you NHL fans think the isles are old and done, then you may as well take their 1st rounder which will be higher up in the draft... (but hopefully it's top-ten protected)
Do you want me to give you a list of significantly worse players that received a first round pick and more at the deadline as rentals? Ok fine
Ben Chiarot: overrated second/third pair d man that has terrible analytics
Return: first round pick, fourth round pick, prospect
David Savard: another second/third pair d man
Return: first round pick, third round pick
Nick Foligno: bottom six veteran with limited to no offensive production
Return: first round pick, fourth round pick
Claude Giroux: older vet, still top 6 material but not nearly as good as Miller
Return: first round pick, solid prospect +
Andrew Copp: solid middle six center, not nearly as good as Miller
Return: prospect, two second round picks, one of which ended up becoming a first round pick
Think you’ve had enough? Not a single one of those players are nearly as good as Miller, yet they all fetched around the same value you have proposed. Do you see how silly it is to say that’s fair value now? Now you say if he slightly declined, he can’t even fetch a first round pick? Give your head a shake