MILLER TIME

What The Puck?!

Written by Chase Howard

1st Branch

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ryan Miller announced Thursday he is planning to retire at the end of the season. Miller, the all-time wins leader among American goaltenders, was a long-time Sabres standout between the pipes during the Franchise's run as a playoff contender (4 appearances between 2006-11) and President's Trophy winner (06-07). After being drafted by the Sabres in the 5th round (148) in 1999, Miller was 284-186 56 (with one tie) in 11 seasons with Buffalo. He left the Sabres as their leader in wins and is second in shutouts with 28, behind NHL legend Dominik Hasek (55), better known as the Dominator (top ten nicknames).

Anaheim Ducks Goaltender Ryan Miller | Source: USA Today

After departing Upstate New York, Miller continued his NHL journey making stops in Vancouver and St Louis before finishing in Anaheim. Miller currently sits 14th on the NHL's all-time win list and won the Vezina Trophy as the top goalie in the NHL in 2009-10, when he was 41-18-8 with a 2.22 GAA, .929 save percentage, and five shutouts in 69 games (68 starts). Making the announcement, Miller said:

"Kind of thought this year would probably be my last year, and wanted to take the time to appreciate everything about the game,"

He then elaborated, "It's been a good year. I've been able to soak it in. I could have waited to retire, but just felt like this would be a good way to say goodbye". Salute to Ryan Miller for an outstanding NHL career here's wishing him as much success in retirement.

2nd Branch

Speaking of retirement, all-time great Jaromir Jagr, likely the best European to ever play in the NHL, announced he will play again next season for Klado in the Czech Hockey League.

The veteran of 33 pro hockey seasons (24 in NHL) stated, "I believe I still have it in me," The 49-year-old, as always, was very quick to point to effort level saying, "It is all just about working hard and putting more effort. I have to practice harder and avoid gaining weight."

As always, it seems a new and often more difficult challenge just invigorates Jagr. In a rare acknowledgment of his mortality Jaromir told reporters, "You know, I was used to scoring a goal when I wanted to score one. I have been working hard since I was very young to be able to do it. And suddenly, I feel it is not possible anymore." Very interesting to hear this from the guy who, after being taken No. 5 overall in the 1990 NHL Draft, went on to become first in NHL history in game-winning goals (135), second in points (1,921), third in goals (766), fourth in games played (1,733) and fifth in assists (1,155) and playoff points (201). Indeed father time catches up with us all one day. Given what Jagr says, why is he still planning to play next year? The NHL great answered the question simply,

"I cannot quit. We have an [outdoor game] sold out, but honestly, I know I have to be much better. I want to get better to help my team. … What I know for sure is that I will do anything possible to help my club".

Furthermore, Jagr stated, "I am aware that when I leave, many (business) partners will leave the team too. That's why I have no choice."

Even given Jagr's self-assessment of his performance level being labelled "embarrassing", despite having 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in 19 regular-season games with Kladno this season and 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 16 playoff games, Jagr just cannot quit on his long-time club (which he also owns and is president of). Overall, whenever and wherever the two-time Stanley Cup winner decides it is time to hang 'em up, he will do so as one of the greatest to ever step on the ice and might have trouble finding room on his trophy case shelf wall.

3rd Branch

With the end of the season steadily approaching (currently May 16), let's take a look at each division's playoff races.

Starting with the Discover Central, the Carolina Hurricanes are still narrowly holding down the 1st place spot. Still, they need to keep winning as the second-place Florida Panthers and third-place Tampa Bay Lightning have clinched, only sitting 2 and 3 points behind, respectively. The battle for fourth place is also on as Nashville is 2 points ahead of Dallas but has played one more game. At the same time, the Chicago Blackhawks are in danger of falling out of contention as they sit six back of Nashville for the last playoff spot in the Central division.

Moving on to the Honda West, this division is pretty set as the top three seeds have been clinched by Vegas Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and Minnesota Wild respectively, while the St Louis Blues look to be in a great spot to come down with the fourth and final seed sitting with 52 points with eight games left. However, it's still too early to count out Arizona (47 pts 6 games left) or San Jose (45 pts 7 games left).

In the Scotia North, only the Toronto Maple Leafs have clinched so far, sitting 1st comfortably in the division, tallying 69 points with six games left. They are followed by the Edmonton Oilers, who have 60 points and eight games left, closely trailed by the Winnipeg Jets, who have 57 points and eight games in hand. The Montreal.

Lastly, the MassMutual East division had its first two teams clinch in the same game Thursday between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals. Thanks to overtime, both teams clinched and sit atop the division with 69 points with five and six games left to play. The next two teams are also quite tight as the NY Islanders sit third with 65 points over the Boston Bruins, who are fourth with 64 points but have one more game in hand. The fifth-place Rangers have narrowly avoided elimination (for now) as they sit with 58 points and five games to play. In other words, they will need some serious help to get into the dance.

Quick hits

• Well, it's official, the Seattle Kraken is an NHL team as of making their last major payment to the NHL on Friday (650 million expansion fee). This means the NHL now has 32 franchises and the newest one; the Kraken (loving the name still) can now officially sign free agents, make trades, and will begin play next season. Protection lists for the expansion draft are due

• July 17. Seattle will have the same expansion draft rules Vegas did (the Golden Knights will be exempt). Teams can protect seven forwards, three defensemen, and one goalie, or eight skaters and one goalie. The Kraken must select one player from each of the other 30 teams. Given the NHL salary cap will be flat at $81.5 million due to low revenues amid the coronavirus pandemic, I would not be surprised to see a very interesting Kraken team take shape. Either way, I am extra excited for next season's release of the Kraken.

• Quick shout out to the San Jose Sharks for becoming the second team to install an Opteon ice refrigeration system following Ball Arena, home of the Colorado Avalanche, who were the first to deploy the innovation. Opteon is the preferred refrigerant of the NHL, as it is a non-ozone depleting and low global warming potential (GWP) solution that offers an environmentally and economically sustainable solution; to make high-quality ice in professional and community rinks across North America. Awesome to see as the upgrade seems to be a win for the Sharks, the NHL, and very well the whole Planet.

• Jonathan Drouin is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the Montreal Canadiens for personal reasons, the forward who hasn't played since April nips were placed on IR this Wednesday. Drouin scored 23 points (two goals, 21 assists) in 44 games this season, previously missing time for non-Covid illness, which is apparently unrelated to his current leave. Canadiens Head Coach Dominique Ducharme said, "The most important thing right now is 'Jo' taking care of what he needs to take care of, when I heard his name this morning, I don't think hockey, I think about the person". Here wishing Mr. Drouin all the best and a speedy return.