There has been plenty of noise surrounding Elias Pettersson and JT Miller’s relationship this season.

Debates about which player should be traded and who the team should acquire in return have been discussed almost daily within this market. As Vancouver Canucks fans grow increasingly impatient, they may be wondering what typically happens when players cannot coexist in the same locker room.

We looked into the past to examine how other teams handled their disgruntled athletes, the impact these situations had on future seasons, and what lessons can be learned.

Here’s the good, the bad, and the ugly of locker room dysfunction.

The Ottawa Senators entered the 2017–18 season fresh off a Cinderella run to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they suffered a heartbreaking Game 7 overtime loss to the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Led by superstar blueliner Erik Karlsson, the Senators hoped to carry the momentum of their unlikely run into the following season. Also crucial to the team’s success was Mike Hoffman, who had finished the previous season with a career-high 61 points, ranking second on the team in scoring behind Karlsson.

The ensuing season was a disaster for the Sens, as they missed the playoffs. In March of that campaign, with the reality of a long, playoff-less spring settling in, things took a darker turn when truly disturbing allegations came to light.

It was alleged that following the passing of Karlsson and his wife Melinda’s stillborn child, Hoffman’s partner, Monika Caryk, made comments online wishing harm upon the Karlssons’ unborn child and other violent remarks regarding Erik’s safety on the ice, according to Tyler Dellow of The Athletic (2018).

These allegations led to lawsuits, and by June of that year, Hoffman was traded to the San Jose Sharks. Just months later, Karlsson was also traded. Within a single calendar year, the Senators lost two of their biggest assets.

Since that fateful season, the Senators have failed to make the playoffs. Their highest point total since their 2017 run was 86 in the 2022–23 season, which was only good enough for sixth in the Atlantic Division.

This situation forced the club to trade a generational defenceman and lose a key winger, effectively slamming shut any window the Sens had to contend with their core.

What happens when a young, immensely talented forward with maturity issues runs afoul of a veteran defenceman tired of his antics? You get a tracksuit floating in a hot tub, of course.

In 2015, this incident dominated the hockey press. While the public knew Byfuglien was frustrated with Kane’s behaviour, the details surrounding the infamous tracksuit incident remained sparse.

In 2023, former teammate Nik Antropov shed light on the tension during an appearance on the Cam & Strick Podcast:

“I tried to help. He wouldn’t listen back then, so no one had time for him,” Antropov said, describing Kane’s behaviour as a young player.

What we do know is that Kane missed the following game against the Canucks, was placed on injured reserve, and was traded to the Buffalo Sabres less than a week later.

Remarkably, Kane’s departure had an immediate positive impact. The Jets made their first playoff appearance since relocating from Atlanta. Although they missed the playoffs the next two years, the Jets went on to make four straight postseason appearances, including a run to the Conference Finals in 2017–18.

In the mid-2000s, the Montreal Canadiens appeared poised for a strong future with their captain, Saku Koivu, and young prospect Mike Ribeiro, a flashy playmaker with impressive hands.

Rumour has it Koivu never liked Ribeiro, a claim Ribeiro later discussed with La Presse and on the Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro. Whatever the case, the Canadiens prioritized their captain’s happiness and shipped Ribeiro to the Dallas Stars in September 2006.

Montreal had just lost in the playoffs to the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes and the team appeared ready to contend. However, losing their fourth-leading scorer for essentially a fifth-round pick was a setback. The other piece in the trade, defenceman Janne Niinimaa, played only 41 more NHL games before heading to Europe.

The 2006–07 Canadiens narrowly missed the playoffs. Perhaps keeping Ribeiro could have propelled them into the postseason. Meanwhile, Ribeiro thrived in Dallas, leading the team in scoring for three consecutive seasons and hitting a career-high 83 points in 2007–08.

After missing the playoffs in 2007, the Canadiens returned for four straight seasons, but the core of their 2006 roster changed dramatically. Koivu left in free agency in 2009, leaving Montreal without their beloved captain. One has to wonder if the Canadiens’ front office would make a different choice in hindsight.

These situations, while distinct, offer valuable lessons for the Canucks.

From Koivu and Ribeiro, the takeaway is patience and the importance of securing adequate returns for valuable assets.

The message from Kane and Byfuglien is clear: removing a negative presence can unite a team, limit distractions, and foster long-term success.

As for Karlsson and Hoffman, while the Canucks’ current situation is not as extreme, the lesson remains vital. Trading from a position of weakness can cripple a team for years.

History offers countless lessons, and one can only hope Patrick Alvin and Jim Rutherford learn from the mistakes of past NHL GMs. Will they chart a different course, or will history repeat itself? Only time will tell.