The Canuck Way
Fansided

Canucks: J.T. Miller’s 3 biggest accomplishments of 2019-20

By Brayden Ursel

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 29: J.T. Miller #9 of the Vancouver Canucks skates up ice with the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 29, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canucks 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 29: J.T. Miller #9 of the Vancouver Canucks skates up ice with the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 29, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canucks 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Vancouver Canucks Goalie Thatcher Demko (35) and team (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Vancouver Canucks Goalie Thatcher Demko (35) and team (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Miller brought experience to special teams

Last season the Canucks special teams units were well below average. The 2018-19 power play finished the year 22nd in the NHL with a lousy 17.1% conversion rate. The penalty kill was a  fraction better finishing in the 11th spot with an 81.1% success rate.

The addition of Miller (and Quinn Hughes) to the power play did absolute wonders for the Canucks this season. As a matter of fact, if it weren’t for Miller’s team-leading 25 man-advantage tallies, Vancouver probably finishes their 50th season well below the playoff bar.

Luckily, Miller helped reshape and redefine the team’s PP1. From the basement in the standings last season, all the way to top-five across the league. Finishing the season with a 24.1% scoring rate, Miller was solid on the wall and his behind the back feed to Hughes often created a secondary assist once Pettersson would laser home the drawn up one-timer. That’s a seven percent jump shooting the Canucks from 22nd to 4th in a single season.

His net-front presence was always there and with him often standing next to Bo, it created a nice one-two punch of big bodies out front fighting for open ice and battling over who gets the next garbage goal. If his big body wasn’t parked in front, he was often spotted with the puck using his body as a shield as he looked for the open man.

Final thoughts…

Next. Canucks: 3 big disappointments this season. dark

Miller is a homerun player with all the right tools fit for a long playoff run. He’s the perfect player for a coach and he’s the guy you want on your team because otherwise, he’s an absolute pain to play against. His first season in Vancouver exceeded expectations and he accomplished some pretty big things in a very short amount of time. Let’s look forward to having him back soon!

Home/Editorials