When Allvin and Rutherford handed the then 29-year-old J.T. Miller a 7-year extension, tying him to the Canucks until he turned 37, everyone was in shock.
His early season struggles had everyone worried that this signing may have been a mistake. Yet, Miller has been amongst the league's very best in scoring ever since he joined the Canucks and showed no signs of slowing down since Tocchet took over the Canucks' bench.
Rutherford was optimistic when asked about this signing that his $8M AAV would grow to be just another contract when the cap actually increased. The recent successes of Joe Pavelski, who'll be turning 39 this summer, now suggest that perhaps Rutherford isn't the old fool everyone pretends he is.
Miller has been described, in the earlier stages of his career, as a late-bloomer. Could he now develop into a seasoned veteran like Pavelski? Could he remain a high-end offensive producer even in his late 30s?
