With Miller, the Canucks are back to solid in net, with the potential for controversy

Ryan Miller in Vancouver is going to be interesting. 

Place in blender: outspoken personality, voracious media, a team with fairly high expectations, the brutal Western Conference, and a rising young back-up goalie that could probably start. Hold the lid tight. Set to liquefy.

The Canucks goaltending situation over the past few years has been remarkable. From the Roberto Luongo contract, to Cory Schneider’s ascension, to the trade attempts, to eventually dealing them both, to starting Eddie Lack 20 straight games to giving Ryan Miller six million for three seasons, it just hasn’t stopped.

There are smart people out there who will tell you that you shouldn’t overpay for goaltending, but that’s awfully easy to say until you don’t have it. If you hope to contend when facing the Kings, Sharks, Ducks, Blackhawks, Blues et al, you better be secure in the crease. The Canucks have ensured that they’ll be at the very least “fine” there for three seasons, if not excellent, which gives them a chance.

With the Canucks rumored to be among the teams chasing Jarome Iginla (swing and a miss) and other high end free agents, and landing Miller, what once looked like a team about to rebuild now looks like a group giving it one last push while they still have the Sedins as top-end contributors.

The only question now, is what becomes of Eddie Lack, who will be 30 when Miller’s deal ends. If he wants to become a starter - and why wouldn’t he, he posted a .912 save percentage on a below average team in that role last year - you have to believe he’s not pleased with this. Lack is an agreeable gent who likely won’t make a fuss (this sounding familiar yet?), but few players are content to watch when they feel they can play.

Either way, that will play out as it does, but they’re back to a situation they probably prefer - two good goalies, with one clear starter making a lot of money. It may cause some drama, but it’s better than no clear starter and a murky future.