Canucks must sell high on Miller, move on from Burrows at deadline
One year removed from a sixth-place division finish and an early summer, the Vancouver Canucks have seemingly turned things around.
Heading into the home stretch of 2016-17, the Canucks sit just six points out of a Western Conference wild-card spot - a noteworthy achievement considering what was expected of them this season.
But if general manager Jim Benning is thinking long term, he'll begin his franchise's much-needed rebuild at this season's trade deadline. The first step in that plan? Closing the book on goaltender Ryan Miller and veteran Alexandre Burrows.
Benning has waffled on whether or not he'll seek to move his veterans, or whether he'll remain loyal and hopeful that Vancouver somehow manages to go all the way.
Though initially stating that he wouldn't ask veterans like Burrows to waive their no-trade clauses for the benefit of the franchise, Benning has since softened his stance.
"We're going to see where we're at,” Benning told The Province on Tuesday. "I'll have individual conversations with those players and their agents, but we're hoping we can stay in the (playoff) fight."
The true question Benning should be asking is: How far can this team truly go in 2017?
Is a playoff berth attainable? Perhaps, although landing a top-three divisional spot seems all but lost - Connor McDavid's Edmonton Oilers would be the team to pass, and they're 12 points out of reach at the moment.
But even if Vancouver can make the climb into a wild-card spot - passing the Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, and one of the Los Angeles Kings or Nashville Predators - what exactly is the end game?
The Canucks don't seem to have the pieces in place to get very far once the postseason grind begins, and they're not a young team for whom a small taste of playoff action would be good enough. So there seems little merit in holding on to pieces like Miller and Burrows - both unrestricted free agents by this season's end - for the sake of an early exit.
More importantly, the club's surprising resurgence means Benning has a chance to sell high on his veterans, particularly Miller.
The 36-year-old goaltender's .918 save percentage is tied for the second-best of his career, and he's fresh off recording his third shutout of 2016-17, having quelled the offensively prolific Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.
Burrows hasn't been quite as strong this season, though his seven goals and 16 points through 48 games make it clear he's moved past his tumultuous 2015-16 performance, wherein he posted only nine goals and 22 points all season.
The longtime Canucks winger does have a decent track record of postseason scoring on his resume, however, having racked up 34 points through 70 career playoff appearances.
It's fair to assume Benning could find suitors for his two veteran stars, as plenty of clubs would likely line up for Miller's netminding services, and Burrows remains a serviceable depth winger.
Vancouver's brass has been hesitant to go down the rebuild route out of respect for their starring duo, Henrik and Daniel Sedin. But finishing 2016-17 without a meaningful playoff run and with zero assets attained for their two star free agents-to-be would do little for the franchise-leading duo.
Benning and head coach Willie Desjardins are both hopeful the Canucks can pull it all together down the stretch, both referencing the New England Patriots' recent Super Bowl comeback as possible inspiration, but the numbers suggest Vancouver's chances at making a real run at the Cup remain slim.
It's too soon to count the Canucks out. But regardless, if the franchise wants to meaningfully move forward in 2016-17, selling high on their veterans and building around Bo Horvat seems the most appropriate route - and a proactive approach from Benning is going to be the straw that stirs that drink.