The Canucks locked up their best and most important player after a career-high 99-point season before the start of the 2022-23 season. Chairman Jim Rutherford told Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre that Miller is “a player to take a chance on”. By the end of it, the 29-year-old Miller was thrilled to have penned a long-term extension that will run him until he’s 37. Along with Elias Petersson and Brock Boeser he is willing to compete and fight with the Canucks for the rest of his prime. Here are some comparable contracts to further understand the value of Miller’s extension: Nazem Kadri, C, Calgary Flames Contract: Seven years, $7 million AAV | Age at signing: 31 (2022) | Score totals the year before signing: 28-59-87 Just like Miller, Kadri had a career year before signing, leading him to his first Stanley Cup. Kadri has also been at the center of rumors throughout the off-season, staying until late August to secure a lucrative long-term deal. Ultimately, the centerman ended up with the Calgary Flames, who many see as the most improved team of the offseason despite the loss of Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. While it remains to be seen whether Kadri will center the front line in Calgary, both he and Miller will look to give Canada its first Stanley Cup since 1993 while entering their thirties playing north of the border. Matt Duchene, C, Nashville Predators Contract: Seven years, $7 million AAV | Age at signing: 28 (2019) | Score totals the year before signing: 31-39-70 Duchene split the 2018-19 season between the Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets, tying his career high of 70 points from the 2014-15 season – when he was with the Colorado Avalanche. Predators GM David Poile then offered Duchene a seven-year contract on July 1, 2019. The Preds were looking to bolster a team that had finished atop the Central Division but fell in the first round of the playoffs. Duchene had hiccups 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, Duchene had a resurgence last season alongside Filip Forsberg. He posted a career tally of 43 goals and 86 points, leaving Prence fans hoping for continued offensive production. Sean Couturier, C, Philadelphia Flyers Contract: Eight years, $7.75 million AAV | Age at signing: 29 (2021) | Score totals the year before signing: 22-59-81 At the end of the 2020–21 season, Couturier received the Bobby Clarke Trophy as the Flyers’ MVP for the third consecutive year. Only Couturier and Eric Lindros have accomplished this feat. Couturier, however, has struggled with injuries and taken a significant hit this past year. The Arizona native by way of Bathurst, NB underwent season-ending back surgery on January 26, 2022 and is expected to return for next season. Jakub Voracek, RW/LW, Columbus Blue Jackets Contract: Eight years, $8.25 million AAV | Age at signing: 25 (2015) | Score totals the year before signing: 22-59-81 Voracek was younger when then-Flyers GM Paul Holmgren gave him an eight-year contract extension. However, the Czech had a similar career year, coming very close to a points-per-game season on Broad Street. On the other hand, Voracek topped the season high of 81 points just once during his time in Philly. Scored 85 points in 2017-18 playing alongside Claude Giroux on the front line. The struggling Flyers traded Voracek back to the Columbus Blue Jackets before the start of last season.
