Potential crease candidates to replace Miller
Elliott, Mason and Bernier among promising options for team to pursue if goaltender leaves as a free agent
Here are some goaltenders to consider for replacing Ryan Miller if he leaves in free agency:
Brian Elliott, 32
Last season: 49 games with the Calgary Flames and a .910 save percentage.
Thoughts: Elliott is probably the most Miller-esque replacement, but do the Canucks really need another 30-something goalie? Yeah, no.
Steve Mason, 29
Last season: 58 games with the Philadelphia Flyers and a .908 save percentage.
Thoughts: The case has been made that Mason will be the best goalie on the free-agent market. It’s not believed he’s loving the idea of sharing the job and that would be the assignment with the Canucks so Vancouver is not likely a good fit.
Jonathan Bernier, 28
Last season: 38 games with the Anaheim Ducks and a .915 save percentage.
Thoughts: Bernier is the classic 1b goalie, and could conceivably share the job comfortably with Markstrom.
He’s a backup but has starting potential and that should make him intriguing for Vancouver. A tandem of Markstrom-Bernier would actually have the chance of being decent.
Condon, 27
Last season: 40 games with the Ottawa Senators and a .914 save percentage.
Thoughts: He’s proven he can carry a team when he needs to and that save percentage last year is pretty promising. Condon will sign a reasonable contract somewhere and if the Canucks can wrap their heads around not needing an established vet who has played hundreds of games, it could be here.
Pavelec, 29
Last season: Eight games with the Winnipeg Jets and an .888 save percentage.
Thoughts: Local hockey fans will lose their minds if the Canucks sign Pavelec.
Philipp Grubauer, 25
Last season: 23 games with the Washington Capitals and a .926 save percentage.
Thoughts: There is all kinds of upside with Grubauer and the case can be made he’s a better, younger option than Markstrom right now. The problem is he’s a RFA and the Canucks would likely have to give up something decent to pry him out of Washington, where the Capitals can’t afford him. People in Vancouver can’t stand the idea of a rebuilding team giving up assets for players in their mid-20s, but if you don’t believe in Markstrom, you don’t have a starter.
Lack, 29
Last season: 19 games with the Carolina Hurricanes and a .902 save percentage.
Thoughts: Do this! First, we can’t believe Lack is 29 years old. Second, he can probably be had for cheap and you know how well he can play, because he had a .917 save percentage in his two years in Vancouver. Can you go back again? Why not?