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[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
Canucks: J.T. Miller isn't ready to hit the panic button ST. PAUL, Minn. — In the chaos of a road trip from hell, with nothing working for him individually and his team unable to close out wins despite holding a third period lead five games in a row, J.T. Miller insists he’s doing OK. There are a few reasons the Canucks, sitting at 0-3-2, find themselves in this predicament. Their goaltending has been spotty and their special teams are a mess, the power play scoring on just 10.5 per cent of its opportunities and the penalty kill stopping the opposition just 58.5 per cent of the time. At the centre of both units is Miller. His struggles have been obvious there. They’ve also been obvious at even strength. He’s yet to score his first goal of the season, with four assists and a minus-three rating in five games. After the second loss of the season, last Saturday in Philadelphia, Miller’s emotions boiled over post-game. He’d been on for every goal against the Canucks to that point, eight in total. He was letting his team down in all facets, Miller said, adding some colourful language into the mix. Bad luck, he said at the time, didn’t matter. The results were the only thing. NEXT GAME Saturday Vancouver Canucks 7 p.m., Rogers Arena. TV: Sportsnet. Radio: AM650 Five days later, Miller feels it is the process that is important. “My game, where I’ve really tried to work on, is five-on-five in my own end and worrying about that first. Offence later. And if I look at the way I’ve been playing there, I feel really good about what I’ve done so far,” Miller said. There have been some true miscues by Miller, some leading directly to goals, but opponents aren’t actually getting any more shots away with Miller on the ice than they have in the past. It’s just that nothing is happening offensively for the Canucks when Miller, who signed a new contract worth US$8 million a year, is on the ice. Through the first five games of the season, the Canucks are getting shots away at just 60 per cent the rate they did last season when Miller is on the ice at five-on-five. Watching Miller, you see him fighting the puck. No moment sums up his struggles better than the sequence that led to the game-winning goal in overtime on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild, where he had a chance to clear the zone but couldn’t get a handle on the puck, leading to a turnover, then a delayed penalty. An exhausted Miller, and equally exhausted teammates Brock Boeser and Tyler Myers, were flailing in vain on defence, only for Kirill Kaprisov to finally find an opening to stab the final dagger into. “The timing really hasn’t been there yet for offence,” Miller admitted. “But I think it’d be immature of me to hit the panic button. I’m trying to be patient, but I’m not going to change the way I’m playing, away from the puck and in my own end because I don’t think I’ve given up much of anything there. “Last year, there was plenty of times where I didn’t play well and had two points. “I have a lot of confidence. I have more and more jump in each skate. I’m being honest, really. I’m just worried about today. I’m not worried about what’s happened.” Is it possible he’s letting himself get too overhyped in the midst of all this? “I don’t play relaxed,” Miller answered. “Tried that.” Even in his own struggles, he’s seeing good things around him. On the power play, where Miller is a key figure, they are getting lots of shots off. “We’re doing good things in every game,” Miller said. “The ice will open up at some point.” Head coach Bruce Boudreau quibbled some Thursday night with his power play’s approach to date. Shoot even more, he said. Don’t be so cute. “You’ve got to go back to the bread and butter, which is shooting the puck. And a lot of times when you’re not scoring you try to make the perfect play,” Boudreau said. The power play’s struggles will take just one or two opportunities to right the ship, Quinn Hughes believes. “It doesn’t feel like it’s been as good as it’s been in the past. Of course you go through stretches like this but like I said, all it takes is one game,” he said. Hughes is aware of the pressure on the team. “We didn’t want to start the way we did last year. So I think, definitely, we put the pressure upon ourselves, but it is what it is in this. There’s still a lot of hockey to be played.” After Thursday’s game Boudreau shared a lesson he’s been harping on in the Canucks’ room. In 2015-16, Boudreau’s Anaheim Ducks had an awful October. They lost the first four games of the season, including three at home and scored just three goals in the process. They won their fifth game of the season, but then went on the road and lost five straight. It wasn’t pretty. And then the team righted its ship and they won the division. Of course, that team had made the conference final the year before and featured a trio of strong young blueliners in Sami Vatanen, Hampus Lindholm and Cam Fowler. But even if the personnel is different, Boudreau still sees a lesson for his squad, one he hopes will click in starting with Saturday’s home opener against the Buffalo Sabres. “I said one of the things when you’re not winning because you want to win so bad, you start learning good habits and the good habits keep coming. You might still lose for a couple but once you get those good habits down, and you start winning, and you keep those good habits it’s usually a way to be successful,” he said. pjohnston@postmedia.com -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
True, but if there are changes to the roster he’s almost all but guaranteed top mins here rather than elsewhere. he’ll likely earn the same amount as elsewhere too so hopefully he determines that this is his best option…until the rebuild, haha -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
Yeo may end up being the catalyst for a rebuild if he replaces Bruce. I wouldn’t want him as my coach. -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
Myers has one more year -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
If the team had played like complete crap in these 5 games I’d be willing to at least entertain your idea. The fact that they have had leads and been somewhat explosive in the scoring department leads me to believe that they still have not built confidence in themselves, their teammates and that they are obviously more than capable of winning games. Again, a loser mentality is pervasive within their room unfortunately. This has nothing to do with ownership. Not a thing. -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
Indecency. Trotz should file a preemptive restraining order. -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
Haha good effort. Unfortunately, Arizona isn’t built to compete for anything but 1st overall at the draft. That’s their intention. And we’re trailing that at this moment. they don’t even have a catalyst Dman in Chychrun rostered for them either. and to make matters worse, they play out of the equivalent of an elementary school gymnasium as a pro sports club. shame! Oh the shame! -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
If you can’t handle the criticisms or equally valuable opinions as yours on a message board then no offense, but you should be the one leaving. this team just set an historic record for futility and has already started to undermine their chances at redemption for what occurred last season. that’s all that matters. Not how great they play for portions of the game. Just the end result right now, because they can not afford an extended learning curve if they want to compete. The math is already working against them. sorry, that’s just the reality at the moment. -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
For anybody ripping mgmt for Brock’s new deal, it had to be done. Given the personal circumstance and past injuries, they had to put faith in him as a show of support. Wish it could’ve been a 1year show me deal, but could also be that mgmt felt he needed certainty especially after recent events, and that it would pay off. I think hands were tied a little bit and of Brock didn’t have the personal struggles, and the very vocal support of certain teammates whom he’s close with, mgmt would have gotten a much better deal out of it. Delicate situation. -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
All depends what’s available on market. Come deadline, injuries, and obviously many other factors, the cost may be reasonable if there isn’t adequate other help available for a reasonable expense through other teams. I totally get your argument and agree with you about the difficulties presented. I just don’t think it’s immovable. -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
Sorry, but I think that’s just frustration speaking and I get it. He could fetch a 1st at this trade deadline. Let’s not pull some Benning asset management pranks here, maybe? -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
To misquote Obi-Wan: “These aren’t the points we are looking for” -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
He’s a legit top 4 Dman on almost any team if not all. Each team has a Dickinson+ type contract that they can bounce in order to make space, especially if you’re getting OEL for 6mill. In QH’s absence, OEL has continually stepped up into the #1 role and performed admirably. He’s not a dead weight contract like some people label him as. the NMC does hurt because it goes with him, but again, us retaining $ on him plus ARZ’s $ makes for a cheaper veteran Dman who is still playing great hockey. again, if we are blowing up for the TDL and GMs are made aware, there is then opportunity there for them to create cap space whether it be by trade or other measures (like LTIR abuse). -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
There are a few teams that absolutely do and it would be robbery BUF, ARZ, ANH, CHI all have ample space to take him on for this year and going forward -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
I think that perception is wrong. watch later this season when EDM picks up Klingberg and re-signs him to a major extension. I think come deadline, with ARZ retaining 1 mill, and us retaining another chunk, and OEL being convinced to accept to a contender who could readily use his services going forward, I think he’s entirely tradeable and it a viable possibility. If we are blowing up and tearing out a core group to rebuild, we are saving major cap space and can afford to retain to excise OEL’s deal. in fact I think we wouldn’t even have to include a pick. I think we could manage a 3rd pick back out of the deal too. Call me crazy, but I see value and upside in OEL to a team who has a playoff berth earmarked for the next couple years -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
I bet you not an F’n chance. -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
I’m not saying trade him. Not now. I’m simply saying he’s playing great, and he’s also playing for a future long term big money deal from someone. that said, as I posted earlier, I’m all for trading away one chunk of our core at the deadline if this team fails another season. That core is Bo, JTM, and Brock. Also move out OEL and Myers, reset with mega cap space and some 1st round picks and or prospects, rebuild the D, and assert a new leadership core under EP and QH and see if they can handle the responsibility. -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
Bo is also in a contract year, whether it’s with us or elsewhere. Don’t underestimate the intrinsic value that has on his play. -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
Good soup! -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
Yeah exactly, 5 more games where we struggle. We are digging a hole rapidly here though, a hole that is eerily familiar to last year, and a hallmark as to why this team undermines its own opportunity -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
Just remember, we’re all fortunate to have a home club and it’s our choice to support it or not. We’re not owed anything. Totally blessed, in fact. there’s no point in getting angry about all this. Or taking it personally, ya know? I know a ton of folks who’d love to have seasons and would support this club thick and thin, just like you have been. if anything, if this sh!t continues, then be excited for what might might come. The first modern day rebuild in recent Canuck history. That could be really exciting to witness. -
[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Minnesota Wild | Oct. 20, 2022
RWJC replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
5 more games is a fair enough marker to be realistically looking at blowing it up