The Vancouver Canucks could lose their top scorer of the 2021-22 season, JT Miller, in the coming weeks.
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The 29-year-old American is coming off his best season yet after amassing 99 points in 80 games. He could become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2023 and the BC club don’t want to risk losing him for nothing.
However, the ball seems to be in Miller’s hands, who could sign a contract extension with the Canucks on July 13.
“We are in the early stages [des négociations] right now,” President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford told Sportsnet. Emily [Castonguay] takes care of. We’re just preparing to know where we are and what we want to do.”
Hired last January as an assistant general manager, the Quebecer is responsible for the contracts with the Canucks.
“All I can say is that we’d love to get along with JT,” Rutherford said. But we also understand that we are dealing with an unrestricted free agent. [en 2023] who is a very good player. How far can we go when we have other contracts to take care of? Eventually, both sides will have the opportunity to make that decision. But I think it’s mutual, from what I’ve been told. He wants to be back with us and we want him to sign another contract. We will understand this better over the next month.”
In 2022-23, Miller will sign a five-year deal that will net him $5.25 million per season. He will definitely be looking for a substantial raise. According to specialist website sportrac.com, the Canucks will have approximately $33 million on their payroll for the 2023-2024 season. Until then, however, the British Columbia organization must agree on new contracts with several good elements of their training, including forward Brock Boeser.