Ryan Miller And His Success This Season
Has Ryan Miller found his utopia in Vancouver this season? Has he finally found peace north of the border?
It is starting out that way for the 34 year old netminder. At the start of the season, it’s been Miller Time in Vancouver. What has gotten into him that he has become dominant again? Maybe it was a return to the city where he has come closest to a championship, in the form of Olympic Gold? Coincidentally, Vancouver is in the same boat. Two times were the Canucks runner-up in the Stanley Cup Final losing in seven games in 1994 and 2011. Or has he found his slice of happiness for the first time in several seasons?
Miller almost became an after-thought when he was not resigned by the St. Louis Blues this past offseason. A team he was traded to last season by the Buffalo Sabres.
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Miller had between the pipes for the Sabres since his rookie year in 2002-2003. After 11 years, he along with Steve Ott were shipped off to the Blues in exchange for three players which included Jaroslav Halak, and two draft picks. Despite a winning record and playoff berth, Miller and the Blues could not overcome the then defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs, despite being up two games to none in the best of seven series. After a disappointed first round exit, the Blues organization determined that Miller was not the answer to their playoff prayers. As a result, the organization decided not to extend him a contract, thus making him eligible for free agency.
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Enter the Canucks. This past offseason, Miller and the Canucks agreed to a three year contract worth 18 million. So far, he is showing he is worth every penny. Through nine games played, he is a remarkable 8-1, a 2.24 goals against average, with a .918 save percentage. In addition, he has helped lead the Canucks to the top of the surprising Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They stand four points behind the Anaheim Ducks, and are tied for second place with the San Jose Sharks and the Calgary Flames, who have done a 180 with their performance this season.
However, his performance has gone relatively unnoticed to the hockey world. You don’t hear much fanfare. Perhaps that is the way he likes it. After years of being in the spotlight with the Sabres questioning if he will stay or leave, with the Blues and the pressure of trying to win a championship, and carrying the weight of a whole nation with USA Olympic hockey team 2010, he maybe content to stay out of the limelight.
Perhaps that is what is making his year successful so far. No longer is he the main focus each and every night. Miller is finally able to focus on one thing: stopping the puck.