Miller’s fate tied to rebuild of Canucks
If Canucks really are starting over, their veteran goalie is likely playing elsewhere
Goaltender Jacob Markstrom is skating in Sweden after recovering from knee surgery in early April.
Unrestricted free agent Ryan Miller is decompressing and mapping out his playing future.
The Vancouver Canucks are an NHL club years away from being an annual playoff participant and are embarking on some sort of rebuild.
The magnitude of that rebuild will determine the goaltending tandem next season.
If it’s a full flip of the philosophy switch, the 27-year-old Markstrom is the no-doubt starter just as his three-year, US$11-million contract extension kicks in, while Miller looks for a logical professional and personal fit.
One landing spot could be Anaheim, where the erratic 23-yearold John Gibson could use mentorship and the Ducks have an unrestricted free agent backup in Jonathan Bernier, who is expected to chase a starting job elsewhere. But Miller would seek much more than Gibson’s US$2.3-million salary cap hit in each of the next two seasons and the anointed starter could get antsy.
If Miller chooses to leave Vancouver, the Canucks could have Richard Bachman as their backup — if he’s not claimed in the expansion draft. Or they may look for a bridge UFA option to buy Thatcher Demko more development time. There are a half-dozen reasonable and affordable options expected to hit the market.
All this could mean something else if that rebuild switch isn’t fully deployed.
Canucks general manager Jim Benning, who is scouting the world hockey championships in Paris in search of a puck-moving defenceman, has repeatedly stated a willingness to re-sign Miller, who turns 37 in July.
That’s admirable and understandable because their connection dates back to Buffalo. But there haven’t been any discussions about term or what it would cost the Canucks for Miller to push and mentor a still-evolving Markstrom for another season.
Former NHL goalie Mike Liut is Miller’s agent. Liut’s been-there-done-that perspective will help shape his client’s future, a future that will clarify during the NHL combine in Buffalo (May 29-June 3). That’s when Liut plans to meet with Benning to talk contract.
The optimum could be a twoyear commitment at US$4 million annually and the minimum could be a one-year deal at about the same amount.
What does Liut think of Benning’s high level of interest?
“I don’t read anything into it,” Liut said Monday. “Let me draw the goalposts. Think of a number that would be ridiculous and then (the contract) would be obvious. A number that’s not attractive but (Benning) still wants him? Money is a part of it and Ryan not bouncing around is a part of it. It’s a team he knows and there’s a comfort issue.
“We’ve talked a couple of times since the end of the season and all that goes into it at this point in his career. He shows up every night and plays for all the right reasons. You can’t punch in and punch out because it’s not just a job. You have to be emotionally and physically in tune with what’s going on. That’s always been Ryan.
“I like that he played in Buffalo and Vancouver essentially and had a stop in St. Louis (2014 trade deadline). The bouncing around is something you have to do if you want to keep playing, but he draws an association (with a city) and he wears it with pride. That’s kind of lost today.”
Miller has had better numbers — his 2.80 goals-against average and .914 save percentage were similar to 2015-16 — but he also made 54 appearances to speak of durability and a battle level that has not waned. He faced 40 or more shots on nine occasions, including three times in the final month, and was often the voice of reason when the season went off the rails.
“I’ve formed relationships over the last three years and a bond with the city,” Miller said. “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.”
Miller’s wife Noreen DeWulf has an acting career based in Los Angeles and selling her on making it work while also raising their two-year-old son Bohdi isn’t lost on anybody with a family.
Liut retired in 1992 at age 36 because of ruptured discs in his back following 731 games with St. Louis, Hartford and Washington. He had to weigh his career against his wife’s successful retail business.
“You never let this job cost you your family,” Liut said. “You don’t blow up your life for your job, necessarily, but what’s the compromise? Retirement was better for me.
“It doesn’t do you much good sitting on the bench when the team is winning and Ryan isn’t wired that way. Sometimes, there’s no clear answer and you compromise.”
Miller would get more starts and pocket more here than being the backup to Jonathan Quick in Los Angeles or Martin Jones in San Jose, or even working in some capacity with Gibson.
The Canucks can sell that.