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The Canuck Way Mailbag: Boudreau, Myers, Miller, more

By Brayden Ursel

Dec 14, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Vasily Podkolzin (92) and forward Nils Hoglander (21) and head coach Bruce Boudreau celebrate their victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third period at Rogers Arena. Vancouver Won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Vasily Podkolzin (92) and forward Nils Hoglander (21) and head coach Bruce Boudreau celebrate their victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third period at Rogers Arena. Vancouver Won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 16, 2021; San Jose, California, USA; Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller (9), defenseman Quinn Hughes (43), defenseman Tyler Myers (57) and left wing Tanner Pearson (70) celebrate after a goal during the third period against the San Jose Sharksat SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2021; San Jose, California, USA; Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller (9), defenseman Quinn Hughes (43), defenseman Tyler Myers (57) and left wing Tanner Pearson (70) celebrate after a goal during the third period against the San Jose Sharksat SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

This one feels good. A while back I suggested that the Canucks should consider moving Miller to the centre position full-time. I was completely ripped online for that take but look at me now. Not only has Miller been an excellent centre this season, but he’s also given Vancouver arguably the best centre depth across the entire league (Miller, Horvat, Elias Pettersson).

As for him being a third-line centre, I wouldn’t call him that. Actually, it’s difficult to call any of the mentioned above players by that title, but if I had to pick one right now it’s Pettersson. Miller is playing big first-line minutes, is an effective 200-foot player, and has been picked out by Boudreau as one of the team’s key players. The emergence of Nils Höglander and Vasily Podkolzin makes Miller is a lock on the dot, but you could see him shift to wing if the Canucks are trailing in a game.

As a Myers guy myself, I absolutely love what I’m seeing from the towering defenceman right now. Not only is he playing up to his annual salary of $6 million, but he’s playing the best hockey of his Canucks career.

Canucks’ blueliners have been dropping like flies, but Myers has been excellent in their absence. Whether it’s a surge of luck or not, the offensive coaching style of Boudreau has boded well with the defenceman.

Through his last five games, Myers hasn’t played a second less than 24:54 and has seen games as high as 29:26. Some would think Myers would show his “true colours” given so much ice-time, but the 13-year pro has been solid. Maybe this is the new Myers. Time will tell.

dark. Next. Canucks: Games have been postponed

That’s it for this week’s edition of The Canuck Way Mailbag! Happy holidays.

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