Miller may be an option next year
Canucks need veteran while in transition and current goalie fits the bill
Any conceivable scenario in moving pending unrestricted free-agent Ryan Miller this season always meant one thing. The Vancouver Canucks would have to find a capable and affordable stopper willing to accept a bridge contract to work with Jacob Markstrom until prized prospect Thatcher Demko matures.
And with 29 goalies set to become UFAs on July 1, there are options, but nobody jumps out as an obvious candidate — especially if Markstrom buckles under the weight of expectation as the bonafide starter and needs a reliable mentor to lean on. That’s where it gets interesting. Judging by the mutual-admiration dialogue between Miller and management, it’s plausible that the 36-year-old veteran won’t hit the open market. He’s not going to be dealt or moved at the trade deadline, even if the team tanks. An assessment of who will work best with Markstrom next season will be made before July 1.
Miller may be an option, even though his numbers aren’t great. He ranked 40th in save percentage (. 911) and 38th in goals-against average (2.73) heading into Sunday games. But Markstrom also has a 2.73 GAA and his save percentage (. 902) ranked 53rd. However, he is the future, but in the near future having the experienced Miller back may work best for everyone and the concept is not a closed book.
“We’re open, but it’s December,” said Canucks president of hockey operations Trevor Linden. “At the end of the year, we’ll reassess and see where we are and what next year looks like. Our goaltending is the least of our worries — both guys have given us a chance to win. And Jacob has played exactly like we thought he would.”
Of course, there has to be more than just a willingness to bring Miller back. Salary and term are going to be a challenge because an expiring contract — a three-year, US$18 million vote of confidence — means taking a significant pay cut. Would Miller bite on two years at $4 million to 4.5 million? Does he want three? Is he willing to talk?
“Yeah, but I’ve got to be good first,” said Miller. “So, I have to worry about that end of it right now and I’m always open. I’ve just got to play more like I did tonight (Saturday). I thought I was more competitive than I’ve been and maybe that little edge helps.
“I’m just going to try and take care of my own end so we can have a conversation.”
Where that leads to is going to be intriguing. Miller’s 38-save performance in a 3-2 shootout win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday was another reminder of what a motivated and positionally sound stopper can do — win a game that could have been lost early.
Have there been enough of those? Miller didn’t like a soft, late, third-period, five-hole goal Thursday in a 3-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. He has given up four or more goals on five occasions — including six in Toronto on Nov. 5 — but just two or less in seven outings.
Goalies will tell you mental toughness is as vital as proper tracking and positioning. It’s not always about younger being better. Roberto Luongo is 37 and ranked 15th in GAA (2.04) and 22nd in save percentage (. 929). For Miller, it’s about being healthy and rested. His struggle with dehydration last season led to a groin strain and tightness in his adductor muscles that align hips and legs earlier this season.
What often sets Miller apart is a battle level. He wasn’t sure he was getting the call Saturday. He responded with a pair of right-pad saves in the opening minutes. He did it again in a second-period sequence and then stopped Auston Matthews and Tyler Bozak to get his club to OT, where he make seven more stops.
And while Miller could complain of a lack of run support — the Canucks are 28th offensively, 26th at even strength and 25th on the power play — he doesn’t lean on that convenient crutch.
Miller will talk about coverage in his own zone and how he can be better because last season his save percentage (. 916) and GAA (2.70) were marginally better. More outings like Saturday against the speedy Leafs will change the conversation about whether the Canucks should look elsewhere next season.
“I left that (Ducks) game with a bad feeling and felt like I let the guys down — I needed to get my head on straight and show that I could compete,” added Miller.
“It’s hard late in games to defend against that kind of skill. They (Leafs) are willing to hold onto pucks and wait for that cross-seam play. They don’t do as many garbage goal-line plays as some teams are trying now. They’re doing what the Rangers and Ducks are showing — those short plays that get you moving around and then they just pop one. You have to be really composed.”