Ryan Miller is in the midst of a renaissance season, rewarding the faith Jim Benning placed in the first of his big ticket acquisitions. The Canucks loosened their grip on the depth at which he plays and Miller’s returned the favour with the best adjusted Sv% of his career.

If the Canucks are ever going to cash-in on Miller for futures, now is the time to do it. It’s not hard to imagine a market materializing either. Just last summer the San Jose Sharks were reportedly in talks for the Canucks starting netminder, but Vancouver balked at the idea of trading him. That was after the two worst calendar years of Miller’s career. 

Don’t see the Canucks dealing Miller, but it might be the best case scenario for everyone involved. At best, the Canucks can find a home for Miller, where can take one last kick at the can and land a future or two for when they take a stab of their own.

It’s not as crazy as it sounds. This fit just requires a little outside the box thinking. The Stars have $10.4-million tied to goaltending for the next three seasons. It’s often lost in their team success, but $10.4-million is apparently good for the fifth-worst even-strength Sv% in the entire league. They’ve as good a chance as any in the West to come out on top, but you have to wonder about that two-headed monster in the playoffs.

Both netminders are 32 years old and locked in for another two seasons. Miller is locked in for just the one season past this one and doesn’t cost significantly more than either goalie they already have. The Stars will have to re-sign Jamie Benn at the end of next season, and he’s due for a pretty significant raise. The added flexibility of replacing either Kari Lehtonen or Antti Niemi with Miller could be worth a futures asset.

Potential trade chips: Kari Lehtonen, Antti Niemi, Julius Honka, Jason Dickinson, Brett Ritchie, second round pick, third round pick

The Flames have been connected to the goaltender market for the entire season and this likely doesn’t change in the wake of Karri Ramo’s injury. Calgary’s scouts have been spotted in the Toronto area, likely taking a gander at one of either Jonathan Bernier or James Reimer.

If the Flames are keen on contending down the stretch and beyond, it makes more sense for them to acquire a stopgap solution. They’ve a duo of blue chip prospects in net with Jon Gillies and Mason MacDonald, both of which could be another two or three years away from making the jump. 

Potential trade chips: Emile Poirier, Morgan Klimchuk, Hunter Smith, Brett Kulak, Tyler Wotherspoon, third round pick