Could there be another Goalie Controversy in Vancouver?

[hf101]

Benning made some interesting moves in the off season.   One of them was acquiring the 34 year old Ryan Miller for a 3 year deal with a $6M cap hit.  The move solidified the starting role in net for the veteran netminder.  But what if Miller falters with the Canucks as he did with the Blues?   Miller went from a 0.923 save percentage with the Sabres to a 0.903 save percentage with the Blues in the regular season for a season  average 0.918.  He then got worse in the playoffs, stumbling down to an 0.897 save percentage in 6 games.

 

Eddie Lack on the other hand had a similar experience as he posted save percentage numbers of 0.922 mid season dropping down to an average 0.912 playing in 40 games his rookie season.  Some say the starting role and back to back games was one reason for the downfall, the poor play of the rest of the roster under Torts was probably another.

 

I think the start of this season could be rather interesting, since last season's stats for both goaltenders are much the same.  

 

So what happens if Lack plays better than Miller?  

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

I am not so sure 'controversy' is the right word here.

 

I mean, you are Vancouver, you go out and get an established starting NHL goaltender (and not cheaply mind you) in Ryan Miller....you start the guy. Plain n simple.

 

Granted, his numbers show he DID get worse after leaving Buffalo (kinda ironic...getting WORSE after leaving a bad team to go to a better one), but that could be for a number of different reasons.....some of which, I am sure, fans are not privy too.

Not giving Miller a pass on his play with the Blues, but just saying, it was an awful sharp drop, and not one that looks like it is natural.

 

I guess we will know this coming season.

Frankly, I expect the Canucks to struggle a bit this season given how they have revamped their lineup a bit, have to work in new faces into their system, age catching up with their established core, losing Ryan Kesler (yes, they got nice players in return, but Kesler is still a big hole to fill regardless), AND the fact that the goalies (both Miller and Lack) have to establish themselves as reliable....in the case of Miller, reliable ONCE AGAIN!

I am not saying Vancouver will be bottom of the barrel, but their division is pretty competitive and their sister division, the Central, is full of teams that are positioned much better than they are to compete for a playoff spot.

 

Honestly, even if Lack plays just a bit better than Miller in training camp and pre-season, you can bet the Canucks will leave no stone unturned in trying to figure out just what the hell is wrong with the guy...is it physical, mental, whatever....because they simply have too much invested in him at this point for the three years he will be there.

Miller will have to show up to training camp half-dead, drunk and/or wearing a strait jacket in order for him NOT to be the starter over Eddie Lack.

 

For Lack's part, he just needs to prepare and go about his business as if he were going to be the starter, with the understanding that he is slotted at number 2.....BUT, if Miller falters enough during the season, he will force Vancouver management's hand because, investment or not, if the 'Nucks are losing games, and Miller seems to be the primary reason, they will HAVE to give Lack his chance to save the team in net.

 

And even at that point, there is STILL no controversy.

Miller is the starter.....period.

He will be given every opportunity to succeed with the team.....or at least do his part to help the team try to win games.

If he struggles and it looks like there isn't a fix on the horizon, you say to him, 'sit down, shut up, Lack is playing, till you get your head out of your rear'.....and you give Eddie his starts, and ride him till he proves he just can't cut it as a starter.

 

Again, the Pacific won't be a cakewalk for the Canucks, and NOT just from the California based teams.....those other two teams in Alberta, chomping at the bit to show they can play with the big boys too, will be right there to add to Vancouver's problems.

So if Miller isn't the answer, the Canucks will know in short order then will have to go to platoon situation with Miller / Lack....or give Lack the bulk of the play outright if Lack looks strong n steady and Miller still seems to be pining for something outside of hockey.

But rest assured, at a 6+ Mil cap hit, Miller will be given every mulligan possible, short of blowing up the season, to succeed.

 

Far cry from the REAL goalie controversy Vancouver had with Luongo and Schneider where you had two legit starters who needed to have their playing time.

[OccamsRazor]

So what happens if Lack plays better than Miller?

 

They have a 6 million dollar backup plan?

[jammer2]

  I think Lack is one of the worst goalies in the league. I don't expect him to make it to December. I'm not a huge Miller fan, but this would be no contest.

[yave1964]

I see absolutely zero controversy here. None. Nada.

Miller, warts and all is an established NHL starting netminder, deserving of respect for such. Lack and Markstrom have been prospects for so long that they should be able to go from the AHL to a senior pickup league before long. Okay, just kidding, but neither has really taken the bull by the horns and taken a job, the goalie controversy, if they have one at all, is who should win the right to start 25 games a year while Miller starts the rest. Moving along, nothing to see here.

[Samifan]

So what happens if Lack plays better than Miller?

 

Man I can't believe Hockey Junkie/Rick hasn't responded to this yet!

[Podein25]

Man I can't believe Hockey Junkie/Rick hasn't responded to this yet! 

 

The Impala doesn't start itself you know.