Anaheim Ducks: 6 Things on Bob Murray’s Offseason To-Do List

Give Ryan Miller a Contract Extension

Ryan Miller isn’t getting any younger, but he still plays with the same fervency he has played with since he entered the league in 2002-03. His performance during the 2018-19 season is proof that he still has gas left in the tank. With Lukas Dostal still a few seasons away from being NHL ready, there is no rush to get rid of Miller. Why fix something if it isn’t broken?

Appearing in 20 games with the Anaheim Ducks during the 2018-19 season, Miller posted a .912% save percentage. While he did struggle significantly on the power play this season, posting a save percentage of .667%, special teams is something that the entire team is intent on working on over the summer and 2019-20 season, and with more consistency in front of him, we should see those numbers improve for Miller.

With John Gibson taking the lead in net, and the recent hiring of Jeremy Bettle, Miller likely won’t be heavily relied upon over the course of the 2019-20 season. However, he has proven that even during moments when Gibson has faltered, he can step up and stand up well under the pressure. He has been a wonderful mentor to Gibson over the past two seasons, and the lessons he has taught will be lessons Gibson will teach to future Anaheim Ducks goaltenders.

Miller made it clear, when rumors abounded during the trade deadline that the Ducks were looking to possibly trade him to the San Jose Sharks, that he wants to stay in Southern California to be close to his wife and son. So, unless the Ducks are willing to offer him another contract, or the Kings want to pick him up in free agency (which doesn’t seem very likely), it wouldn’t be a far reach to say that Miller would retire.