Miller leaves Canucks indefinitely for personal reasons

Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller is taking an indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons, the club announced Tuesday.

"Right now, our sole focus is making sure that J.T. knows the entire organization is here to support him," general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement. "Out of respect to J.T., we will have no further comment at this time."

Miller is tied for the team lead with six goals and ranks second with 16 points in 17 games this season. He played in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Nashville Predators, though he was benched for much of the third period.

Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said Miller's absence is unrelated to the benching.

"Millsy is his worst critic," Tocchet told the media, including Canucks Army. "The guy wears his heart on his sleeve. He's our 'F you,' he's the guy that's our emotional leader. He takes it upon himself to do it every night, and it's hard to do. ... I'm lucky to have him."

Miller has been a key contributor for the Canucks since being traded to the Pacific Division squad during the 2019 NHL Draft. He scored a career-high 37 goals and 103 points in 2023-24 while appearing in all but one game.

The 31-year-old added 12 points in 13 games this past spring during Vancouver's first playoff appearance since 2020.

Miller is playing in the second campaign of a seven-year extension with an $8-million cap hit.

The Ohio native has amassed 244 goals and 655 points in 816 career contests split between the New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Canucks. New York drafted him 15th overall in 2011.

The Canucks will square off against the Rangers on Tuesday.

Forward Conor Garland may not be available Tuesday as he awaits the birth of his child. Vancouver also recalled forward Arshdeep Bains and reassigned defenseman Elias Pettersson to the AHL.