The San Jose Sharks are reportedly working on a trade with the Anaheim Ducks that would send goaltender Ryan Miller to the Sharks in exchange for a mid-round pick, as first reported by PHWA member John Hoven of Mayor’s Manor.
In other news…
Hearing Sharks and Ducks are working on a Ryan Miller trade (likely for ~ a third round pick). The 38-year-old netminder has a modified NTC, allegedly won’t be an issue though. Also, if he plays next year, told strong chamce he re-signs w/ Anaheim this summer.
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) February 20, 2019
The 38-year-old Miller has taken a back up role since signing with the Anaheim Ducks in 2017. In 40 games with the Ducks, he has posted a .928 save percentage and an 18-8-7 record. With the Ducks’ win over the Washington Capitals on Monday night, Miller earned his 375th career win, the most of any American-born netminder in NHL history.
Miller started the 2017 season with a wrist injury that sidelined him for the first month of the season. He dealt with injury again this season, spraining his knee on Dec. 9 and only just returning against the Capitals. Still, it hasn’t appeared to slow him down. Miller posts the fifth best goals saved above average of back up goaltenders, with a 3.07 GSAA (comparatively, Aaron Dell is a -3.12 and Martin Jones is a -13.06).
Sharks fans are familiar with Miller, who seems to consistently play some of his best hockey against San Jose. In 21 career games played, he’s posted a 10-8-2 record, .922 save percentage and 2.51 goals against average when playing against the Sharks.
Miller won the Olympic MVP and the Olympic Best Goaltender as the starter for the silver medal winning Team USA in 2010. That same year, he won the Vezina Trophy for the league’s best goaltender with the Buffalo Sabres, after posting a 41-18-8 record and .929 save percentage. In significantly fewer games, Miller has the same save percentage this season, behind a Ducks team that has relied on John Gibson to bail them out every single night.
As mentioned, Miller is in the final year of his two-year, $2 million contract, with a modified no-trade clause that requires him to submit a six-team trade list. The Sharks are tight against the cap ceiling and will have to send a player the other way or clear out cap space through additional trades. It seems likely that Aaron Dell or Antoine Bibeau’s future with the Sharks will be in question.
UPDATE, 2/21:
Paul Gackle of the Bay Area News Group reported that there is “zero truth” to the rumor, as did Elliott Teaford of the Southern California News Group.
Also can confirm that it’s not happening.
— Elliott Teaford (@ElliottTeaford) February 21, 2019
Former Hurricanes scout Roger Dicklund offered another perspective:
Remember folks, it’s always possible ANA is feeling out the market before Monday’s trade deadline… could always hold on to Miller until closer to 3pm Monday if there not blown away. #LetsGoDucks #sjsharks
— Roger Dicklund (@Dicklund1) February 21, 2019
There are several possibilities here, but ultimately I wouldn’t hold your breath that it will happen soon, if at all.
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