One of many main questions dealing with the Vancouver Canucks has been answered.

With J.T. Miller heading into the ultimate yr of his contract, what would the Canucks do? Seems, they’re going to get a contract extension completed with the star ahead, re-signing him to a seven-year contract.

Miller and the Canucks have been, by the admission of either side, a good distance aside in contract talks earlier within the offseason. Patrik Allvin mentioned he was “not super-optimistic” about getting a deal completed however they evidently discovered widespread floor, touchdown on a $56 million take care of a cap hit of $8 million per season. That ties him for the Sixteenth-highest cap hit amongst NHL centres. With 99 factors final season, Miller was ninth in NHL scoring.

The cap hit is available in decrease than some projections and may present good worth early within the contract if Miller can proceed his torrid scoring previous of his previous few years in Vancouver.

“He was the perfect participant for us final yr and he is a extremely, actually good hockey participant,” mentioned Allvin earlier within the offseason. He and Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford had all the time been clear that the goal was to get Miller re-signed, even when they weren’t all the time positive they might get it completed.

The contract offers numerous peace of thoughts for each Miller and the Canucks subsequent season, because it avoids Miller’s state of affairs turning into a distraction. Miller’s agent, Brian Bartlett, had prompt he would minimize off contract talks by the beginning of the common season, giving the Canucks a deadline to get a deal completed. Getting Miller re-signed now, earlier than coaching camp, avoids much more distractions.

The deal additionally removes Miller as a possible commerce chip for the Canucks. Miller’s identify steadily got here up in commerce rumours, although extra linked to his age and expiring contract than any recommendations from the Canucks that they have been purchasing him.

By the point his new contract kicks in, Miller shall be 30 years previous and the contract will take him till he is 37. The strain shall be on the Canucks now to push arduous to be aggressive within the earlier years of the contract earlier than his play declines and his important cap hit turns into a burden.

Bo Horvat, the Canucks’ captain, can also be heading into the ultimate yr of his contract. It stays to be seen if Miller’s contract extension makes it harder to re-sign Horvat.