Now that we are fully into the second round of the playoffs it is time to begin looking forward to July 1 and UFA Day 2014. And when we look at free agency in the NHL this year the game begins with Ryan Miller. This is not a simple player to look at and this is not cut and dry. What Ryan Miller is worth and where he will go are both complex situations.
Staying put in St Louis?
Miller's stint with the Blues was not either successful or unsuccessful I suppose. He performed well with the Blues, and yet a first-round exit is nothing new and not acceptable anymore in St. Louis.... even if that exit came in seven games to an eventual Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks. The bottom line here is Miller did not make the big save the big time for St. Louis, even if you can argue he helped put them into position to win... And you can argue "being put into the position to win is all you can do in the NHL."
The Blues have so far left their options open but made it very clear that one of their two goalies next year will be rookie goalie sensation Jake Allen. Would Ryan Miller want to be in that kind of situation?
Where does Ryan Miller want to play? For Ryan Miller the motivation is simple. For years we have been hearing how he wants to live in Southern California near his wife, and while I'm sure he does, in talking to people near and around Miller I don't get the impression that is his motivation. Miller is also not a player who is easily motivated by a giant contract. He will make his money, no question, but Ryan Miller is motivated by a desire to win the Stanley Cup.
Okay, I know that sounds trite. I know many players say that is their motivation and then sign big money contracts with teams out of the running. Ryan Miller is a different kind of bird. In Ryan's case I honestly believe winning is his #1 motivation. So when you look at the teams out there who might be interested in Miller you have to look at teams who would believe they could win a Stanley Cup with Ryan Miller...this season coming.
For that reason you have to look at the Blues and other teams who are possible Cup contenders but have fallen on disappointment.. You have to look at the San Jose Sharks. Not because they're in California , but because they are a Cup contender whose goalies just got out-dueled by another goalie in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Something in San Jose has to change and after the recent collapse that change will have to be the kind of change the changes the team's soul. There are only two changes the team can make to change a team's soul. One is to remove the coach, the other is to remove the goalie.
Another team to look closely at I have been told is Colorado. Ryan Miller has close ties to several players on the Avalanche. These players must be working Ryan Miller already. There is little question that goaltending played a big part in keeping the Avalanche out of the second round of the playoffs. The Avs have all the offense a young team could ever want, but lack on defense and I have been told Patrick Roy would love a veteran goaltender to help stabilize the situation.
Another team would have to be the Anaheim Ducks. Now while it's true the Ducks are still in the playoffs, there is no question Miller would be their starting goalie right now and would be giving them a much better chance at winning it all. The Ducks also have young goalie coming up in Gibson. However, Gibson and Miller would be two goalies who I could see working together sooner than I could see Jake Allen and Miller working together. And yes, Anaheim is much closer to where Miller's wife lives. Given the option of two teams who were both strong Cup contenders... that would matter.
As a longshot, we have to look at Pittsburgh. The Penguins may very well find themselves in the Conference Finals this year, but if they don't, or if they find themselves losing in the Conference Final because of goaltending, things in Pittsburgh may have to change. Many are still saying that Dan Bylsma's job is on the line. Remember what I just wrote...if you want to change the culture of the team, truly change the team's culture, you change the coach or you change the goalie.
Finally, the true longshot would be the Washington Capitals. We simply don't know who will be running the Caps and what direction they want to head. But the Capitals need a leader in goal. They need a player with experience to calm down an otherwise volatile situation... Are the Capitals a Cup contender? It's not out of the realm of possibility, given the talent on the team, and a few changes.
Is Ryan Miller worth it?
Yes, Miller is worth it. I know many will question if he still the premiere goalie that he was, but in my opinion yes Ryan Miller is still worth it and he will command a huge contract on the open market in July.
What do you think?