J.T. Miller

Also, what's the latest on the Bo Horvat contract talks? Who will the Canucks take 15th overall in this year's NHL Draft?

The club likes both players — both for their on-ice contributions, and as stand up professionals — and haven’t told them “no” yet, but there’s been no rush to execute those deals prior to the opening of the market on July 13. Among teams that have gauged the club’s interest in parting with DiPietro, there’s a sense that the Canucks are still valuing the young netminder on the trade market like a very promising young asset. By all accounts, the Canucks don’t seem to believe that their key Russian-based players — Vasili Podkolzin and new unrestricted free agent signing Andrei Kuzmenko — will be impacted by what appears to be a mandatory military service matter. That Canucks management moved aggressively to iron out the framework of a potential Miller extension in advance of the draft is telling. From DiPietro’s point of view, it’s clear now that Spencer Martin has signed a two-year, one-way deal, that he’s been passed on the depth chart for potential NHL playing time. He’s the captain and new management wants him to take the reigns as a leader with conviction. As Martin showed last season, the swing for a team between having a reliable third puck stopper and an unreliable one can be significant. Make no mistake though, Canucks management is aware of the risk they take on in continuing to hold Miller beyond the next nine or 10 days without a settlement. That’s not to say that Horvat talks are on the back burner. The draft board ahead of Vancouver’s selection with the 15th overall pick could shape up unpredictably on Thursday night. Miller, the club’s leading scorer last season, has one year remaining on his current contract and is eligible to sign a contract extension on July 13. Still, the club made Miller’s camp a sizeable offer on Tuesday, with Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reporting that the two sides remain “far apart” in talks.