J.T. Miller
J.T. Miller is the Canucks leader in points and his 96 points tie him for tenth in the NHL with New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin. Miller is the first Canuck to reach the 90-point mark since Daniel and Henrik Sedin in 2010-11. (Finished with 104 and 94 points respectively. )
Miller has become a star this season. Yes, he has been poor in his own zone with his turnovers but he has consistently been putting up the points and made exciting happen when he has the puck.
Miller was putting the puck in the net and has been making great plays all season.
One of the most exciting Miller plays this season was his coast-to-coast goal against the Ottawa Senators in December.
However, the coast-to-coast encore beats the main act. Miller did this against the Arizona Coyotes back in February.
“He’s an unknown superstar,” said head coach Bruce Boudreau on Miller after Monday’s practice per Harman Dayal of The Athletic.
Miller gets my vote for Most Exciting Player. There is a sense of excitement I get when he has the puck in the offensive zone. Whether that is scoring goals or assisting them, or going coast-to-coast Miller has been exciting all season.
But let’s go over two other plays that make the case for Most Exciting Player.
Thatcher Demko
Thatcher Demko was looking to build off his performance in the Edmonton Bubble and the second half of last season. It’s safe to say he has exceeded expectations.
Demko should be in the Vezina conversation. No, he won’t win it but he should get some votes. Is a Vezina win for Demko possible in the future? Yes.
The Canucks starting goaltender has made some really exciting saves. Thanks to those saves, he kept the Canucks in the playoff race as long as possible. A bunch of them have been highlight-reel saves. I don’t even get surprised anymore when Demko makes a highlight reel save because it seems routine for him.
Lots of saves to choose from but this scorpion save against the New York Rangers(all without a glove and stick) probably takes the cake. That whole sequence was wild.