Rick Tocchet voiced his frustrations regarding J.T. Miller's struggles publicly, which likely irritated him, as he was seen completely giving up on a play earlier. The Vancouver Canucks hosted the Los Angeles Kings last night, but <a href='https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/kings-5-canucks-1-another-dismal-home-ice-effort' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>it was a night of disappointment for their thousands of fans</a> who showed up to watch them play but instead witnessed an uninspiring performance from the team en route to a heartbreaking loss. <a href='https://www.nhl.com/standings/2025-01-17/wildcard' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>With the standings implications against their division rival in a heated playoff race</a>, the Canucks should have brought unparalleled energy and passion into this game. Instead, the team looked utterly distracted, <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/vancouver-canucks/rick-tocchet-criticizes-jt-miller-as-tension-continues-to-rise-within-the-vancouver-canucks-organization' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>specifically with the ongoing tension</a> between J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson. <h3>J.T. Miller completely gives up on the play</h3> Nobody had a worse night than Miller did. His costly mistake less than ten minutes into the first period led to the Kings' second goal. What's worse is that it appeared Miller had completely given up on the play, leaving his teammates out to dry. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/AndrewGForbes/status/1880279338156978680'> </a></blockquote></div> <h3>J.T. Miller disrespects Rick Tocchet</h3> Much later, after the Kings' fourth, head coach Rick Tocchet attempted to get on the same page as Miller on the bench, with Miller visibly removing himself, leading many to call the behavior bordering on disrespect. <div align='center' class='pl20 pr20'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/CanucksArmy/status/1880134217142575292'> </a></blockquote></div> <h3>Rick Tocchet publicly bashes J.T. Miller</h3> After the game, Tocchet did not mince words when he said any time <a href='https://www.nhl.com/canucks/player/j-t-miller-8476468' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Miller</a> is on the ice, it seems like trouble. Every athlete has his or her night off, but recent games by Miller have brought up some concerns regarding his consistency and attitude. He is struggling. He is caught in between. It seems like every time he is on the ice, something bad happens. I think he has some bad luck, but he also has some reads that he has to look at himself right now, focus on some of these reads. I mean, you can't dive in on a four-on-four, things like that. I think he is trying, but I think the focus level has to get a little higher. - Rick Tocchet This begs the question as to whether Vancouver's management and front office have seen enough and <a href='https://www.hockeylatest.com/nhl-team/vancouver-canucks/eastern-conference-powerhouse-linked-to-trade-talks-with-the-canucks-for-jt-miller-and-elias-pettersson' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>whether they are on the verge of preparing an imminent trade</a>. Tensions are reaching a boiling point before a massive explosion occurs. Unless Miller gets his game back together, his stock within the NHL could take a serious blow.