Canucks could use Miller during rebuild
Many think team will allow goalie to walk, but there are reasons to keep him around
Ryan Miller will have significant conversations about his playing future with his agent and Jim Benning.
However, the communication the unrestricted free agent goaltender had with his Los Angeles-based family this NHL season may signal a return to Vancouver.
Miller’s wife Noureen DeWulf has an acting career and selling her on making it work so they can continue to pursue their professional careers is probably an easier sell than convincing two-year-old Bodhi that dad can’t be around on a daily or weekly basis during the season. Then again, maybe not. “He figured it out a while ago,” Miller said Tuesday. “It’s kind of funny how he sees the world with FaceTime and stuff like that. He understands the concept that Vancouver and L.A. are different places and daddy is in Vancouver and if I tell him I’m playing hockey, I’m off the hook.
“He processes it and says: ‘OK dad, go and play hockey.’ ” If only it was that simple. Miller is open to the concept of returning here because the Canucks could offer a one- or two-year extension and more than he would pocket as the backup to Jonathan Quick with the Kings — L.A. backup Ben Bishop is headed for free agency — or in any other scenario with California-based clubs.
And, most importantly, Miller would get what he needs most, a competitive environment.
Miller doesn’t plan on surrendering the Canucks net to Jacob Markstrom, even though he faced 40 or more shots on nine occasions, including three times in the final month, and even though he turns 37 in July and Markstrom will be 27 when next season commences.
“I want to play until somebody kicks me out,” Miller said. “You ask any guy who has retired and I’m fortunate in that I’ve had three cousins who came before me in the NHL and every single one of them told me: ‘Go to the rink until they kick you out. Literally show up. Just go.’
“You have to get it out and I don’t think I have it all out of my system yet. I feel like I’m still competitive and my body has held up well and I’ve got to take that attitude moving forward.”
It’s fair to argue this may be the wrong path for the Canucks to travel.
Markstrom had a strong first half and his numbers were better than Miller. His three-year, US$11-million contract extension kicks in next season and there are bridge options until prospect Thatcher Demko matures.
Richard Bachman, who will be exposed in the expansion draft, could back up Markstrom, or the club could sign a veteran UFA on a short deal to work in the same capacity. Another factor is also at play. Management has finally flipped the development switch and expects a new coach to live with mistakes to allow a young team to grow. However, there has to be a backbone to prop up that promise.
And it comes in goal, because that was the Canucks’ strong suit this season. Miller has had better numbers — although his 2.80 goalsagainst average and .914 save percentage were similar to the previous season — but he also made 54 appearances to speak of durability and a compete level that never waned.
“I felt like I was able to handle the workload, but like everybody else, it was a frustrating position to be in,” he said of the losing season. “I look back at things that could have been better and games in which I could have made a bigger difference. But my game is in a pretty good place and I just need to keep improving and I want to compete as a starting goalie until I can’t.”
Miller has been a calming voice of reason in the room and his detailed post-game deliberations and professional approach have been revealing and refreshing. It says something about how much he has embraced the challenge and his surroundings, and that works in the Canucks’ favour.
“I’ve formed relationships over the last three years and a bond with the city,” he said. “I went from Buffalo to a brief stop in St. Louis and the big thing for me is to get comfortable and settled in. And I feel I play better when I have the relationships and that would be a big reason to consider coming back.
“But I need to have a more in-depth conversation with Jim (Canucks general manager Benning), but right now I need to spend time with the family and decompress.” Run all this by Markstrom and you might expect some defiance. Slowed by a knee injury and surgery following a SuperSkills mishap on Feb. 28, he said all the right things about embracing the possible return of Miller. But his actions will determine the pecking order.
“He (Miller) has been unbelievable for me and the team,” said Markstrom, who will resume training in a month. “He has the experience, doesn’t like to lose and even in practice we battle hard. And that’s what you need as a goalie.
“You don’t want to be handed anything and I want to play more games, but he has helped me on and off the ice. He has been great for me.”
And maybe great for the Canucks.