The J.T. Miller saga in Vancouver finally came to a close when he penned a seven-year contract extension worth $8 million annually starting in 2023-24.
The Canucks locked up their best and most influential player following a career 99-point season before the start of the 2022-23 campaign. President Jim Rutherford told Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre that Miller is “a player that you have to take some risk with.”
On his end, the 29-year-old Miller was thrilled to ink a long-term extension that will last until he’s 37. Along with Elias Petersson and Brock Boeser is eager to compete and contend with the Canucks for the remainder of his prime years.
Here are some comparable contracts to further understand the value of Miller’s extension:
Nazem Kadri, C, Calgary Flames
Contract: Seven years, $7M AAV | Age at signing: 31 (2022) | Scoring totals in year before signing: 28-59-87
Just like Miller, Kadri also had a career year before signing, leading him to his very first Stanley Cup. Kadri was also at the centre of rumours throughout the off-season, hanging on until late August to secure a lucrative long-term deal.
Finally, the centreman ended up with the Calgary Flames, who many see as the most improved team of the off-season despite losing Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. While it remains to be seen if Kadri will centre the top line in Calgary, both he and Miller will look to give Canada a first Stanley Cup since 1993 while spending their thirties playing north of the border.
Matt Duchene, C, Nashville Predators
Contract: Seven years, $7M AAV | Age at signing: 28 (2019) | Scoring totals in year before signing: 31-39-70
Duchene split the 2018-19 season between the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets, equalling his career high of 70 points from the 2014-15 season — back when he was with the Colorado Avalanche.
Predators GM David Poile then offered Duchene a seven-year deal on July 1, 2019. The Preds were looking to bolster their team that had finished atop the Central Division but fallen in the first round of the playoffs.
Duchene hiccuped in the first two years of his contract with 42 points in 66 games in 2019-20 and 13 points in 34 games in 2020-21. But at 31 years old, Duchene had a resurgence last season alongside Filip Forsberg. He set a career tally of 43 goals and 86 points, leaving Preds fans hoping for consistent offensive production going forward.
Sean Couturier, C, Philadelphia Flyers
Contract: Eight years, $7.75M AAV | Age at signing: 29 (2021) | Scoring totals in year before signing: 22-59-81
At the end of the 2020-21 season, Couturier received the Bobby Clarke Trophy as Flyers’ most valuable player for a third straight year. Only Couturier and Eric Lindros have accomplished that feat.
Couturier, however, struggled with injuries and was dealt a significant blow over the past year. The Arizona native by way of Bathurst, N.B. underwent season-ending back surgery on Jan. 26, 2022 and is expected to return for the upcoming season.
Jakub Voracek, RW/LW, Columbus Blue Jackets
Contract: Eight years, $8.25M AAV | Age at signing: 25 (2015) | Scoring totals in year before signing: 22-59-81
Voracek was younger when then-Flyers GM Paul Holmgren handed him an eight-year contract extension. However, the Czech had a similar career year, getting very close to a point-per-game season on Broad Street.
On the flip side, Voracek only topped his 81-point season once during his time in Philly. He notched 85 points in 2017-18 playing alongside Claude Giroux on the top line. The slumping Flyers traded Voracek back to the Columbus Blue Jackets before the start of last season.
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