Should the Anaheim Ducks Bring Back Ryan Miller?

At the end of the 2018-19 season, our back up goaltender, Ryan Miller, reaches UFA status. Pucks of a Feather’s resident goaltender shares his thoughts on whether or not the Anaheim Ducks should bring Ryan Miller back for one last season.

**Editors Note** The other day, I was trolling CapFriendly, to refresh myself on the details of Carter Rowney‘s contract, and I was reminded of the startling reality that Ryan Miller reaches UFA status at the end of the season. Of course, the obvious solution was to present this information to our resident goaltender, Jake Robles, and see what his thoughts were. So, without further ado, here is a goaltenders perspective on what the Anaheim Ducks should do with Ryan Miller come Summer 2019.

Today, I’m going to be looking at whether the Anaheim Ducks should bring back Ryan Miller for what might be his farewell tour from the NHL. With this article, I hope to be able to convey what I feel is the right decision in my opinion, and what I believe will actually happen.

What I Would Do If I was Anaheim

To waste no time, if I was Anaheim, I personally would not bring Miller back. Miller will turn 39 this year and, while his play has not really diminished much, the game is getting younger and so is the focus of this current iteration of our Ducks.

If we are serious about a re-tooling with younger bodies, I think Ryan Miller is one of those pieces that would be subject to change. So, who would be John Gibson‘s back up? In my opinion, it should be Kevin Boyle. Boyle is a homegrown talent that has done surprisingly well at the AHL level in just two seasons with San Diego.

With Gibson entering his prime years, Anaheim could get away with having a fresh new face backing up. Your tandem would be fairly young, Gibson is 25 and Boyle is currently 26. I think Miller has served as great role model for Gibby and in turn, JG30 could now be that guy to impart some wisdom on his newer partner.

This, in turn, leaves the job in San Diego up to Eriksson Ek and Correau granted he is brought back. My big thing this season has been that we need to be committed to the overhaul and trust the youngins. If we’re re-tooling, we have to go through with it. After Bernier’s stint with the club, I was somewhat of the opinion that we needed to trust the farm and stop picking up rentals that really aren’t going to be an asset down the line.

At the same time, it was kinda hard to trust a rookie like Boyle, who made his debut that season, to be able to stand in and be the backup. Bringing Miller in has most definitely been the right decision as we’ve gotten quality games out of the veteran goaltender time and time again.

What I Think The Anaheim Ducks Will Do

At a cap hit of $2M, I think the Anaheim Ducks give Miller one more year. With the reality that he is turning 39 this year, I think that we may see the farewell tour of Ryan Miller. It’s not so much the fact he’s old and can’t do it anymore, because Miller is in great shape. I think its a matter of ‘freshening’ up the lineup and trying to make adjustments to survive the new, faster NHL.

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What I think it will come down to really is whether we have a legitimate shot at contending. If we’re embracing the suck and letting the growing pains of newer players and new systems run their course, it may be smart to let Miller explore his options.

Personally, I’d be happy with whatever management chooses because Miller is still a somewhat above average goaltender who’s still kicking at an age that is generally dubbed as the “decline” for a goaltender. Again, I believe it all boils down to where the team stands and what the game plan looks like going into the season. If its apparent things might need to take their course, then we have to strap in for the bumpy ride and let them figure things out.

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