Canucks Activating J.T. Miller Ahead Of Game vs Panthers

The Vancouver Canucks are finally getting one of their star players back in the lineup after some time off. J.T. Miller told reporters that he will be playing in the game at home against the visiting Florida Panthers and is excited to get back in tonight.

Miller has missed the last 10 games for the Canucks in which the team has gone 5-3-2. In that time, Elias Pettersson has been red hot leading the top line. His play will be something to watch as Miller returns. No matter how you look at it, the team is better off with Miller in the lineup and playing though.

The Canucks have scored over three goals per game without Miller in the past 10 games. The team also sits fourth in the Pacific Division and is holding down the second wildcard spot with 33 points in 27 games.

Miller sits seventh in scoring on Vancouver with 16 points in 17 games. He has six goals on the season and five points on the power play. He ranks third amongst forwards in ice time per game behind Pettersson and Conor Garland.

The Canucks are fortunate to have a player like Miller for five more years after this one at $8 million AAV. He has scored 149 goals and 418 points in six seasons with the Canucks . The veteran has Hart Trophy recognition in three of the five completed seasons and Selke Trophy recognition in four seasons.

Miller has nine goals and 30 points in 30 playoff games, so he's also a gamer when the games matter most. For the Canucks' sake, let's hope he plays the rest of the games and does what he does in the playoffs again. He will be a big reason why Vancouver goes deep if that happens.