Sports

Canucks goalie Ryan Miller faces an uncertain future in Vancouver

by Charlie Smith on February 10th, 2017 at 8:30 AM
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      Will Vancouver Canucks goalie Ryan Miller be dealt away by the March 1 NHL trade deadline?

      It's a question on some fans' minds as he's shown that he's still a great shot-blocker this season at the ripe age of 36.

      Miller turns 37 in July and he also carries a $6-million hit on any receiving team's salary cap. 

      That's because the veteran netminder was signed to a three-year deal worth $18 million in the summer of 2014.

      If the Canucks were to absorb part of Miller's salary, he might become more affordable for a team looking for an experienced backstop for a Stanley Cup run.

      The Canucks are six points behind Nashville and Los Angeles for the final wildcard spot in the Western Conference.

      The Flames are five points ahead of Vancouver, which puts the Canucks in a difficult spot.

      If there's no chance for the playoffs, the owners, the Aquilini family, will likely want to dump part of his salary, given that players are paid in American currency and the Canadian dollar is a measley US$0.76.

      Miller reportedly has a modified no-trade clause, enabling him to provide the Canucks with a list of five teams he would be willing to play for.

      He becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

      Ryan Miller's spectacular goalkeeping at the 2010 Winter Games earned him the tournament's MVP award.
      Matt McLeod

      In the past, there's been speculation that Miller would prefer Los Angeles because his wife is an actor.

      More recently, there's been a suggestion that the Philadelphia Flyers might be a good destination for him. 

      The Flyers are in a tight race for the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.

      In three years in Vancouver, Miller's record has been 61-53-13 while playing behind a rather anemic offensive team.

      His career goals-against average is 2.59 and he has a save percentage of .915. He has 39 career shutouts, including 10 while wearing a Canucks jersey.

      Miller was named MVP during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics when his Team USA ended up with the silver medal.

      Backup goalie Jacob Markstrom has a 9-10 record with a goals-against average of 2.59. His save percentage this year is .913.

      The Canucks' goalie of the future might be Thatcher Demko, a second-round draft pick in the 2014 NHL entry draft.

      He's seen action this season with the Canucks' farm team in Utica.

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