Anaheim Ducks

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Ryan Miller to Retire from NHL After 18 Years with Sabres, Canucks, Ducks, More

Apr 29, 2021
Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ryan Miller (30) in action against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ryan Miller (30) in action against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Oct. 18, 2019, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Anaheim Ducks goalie Ryan Miller announced Thursday that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season.

Miller said the following about his retirement, via the Ducks' official website:

"It was a dream come true when I played my first NHL game and it has been a privilege to spend 18 years as a professional. I have decided that I am going to retire after the season having been given more time doing what I love than I could ever have hoped for. Thank you to you my teammates and staff, past and present. I'm thankful to so many who made my career possible and helped me on my journey from youth hockey to the NHL. Thank you to my family for supporting me with so much love and enthusiasm."

Miller, 40, spent 18 seasons in the NHL from 2002-21 with the Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks and Ducks.

He is best known for his 11 seasons with the Sabres, during which he was a one-time All-Star and won the 2010 Vezina Trophy as the best goaltender in the NHL.

The Ducks tweeted a highlight reel Thursday in celebration of Miller's highly productive and successful NHL career:

The Sabres did so as well and tweeted a statement congratulating Miller:

https://twitter.com/BuffaloSabres/status/1387785219852353537

Miller entered the NHL in 2002 after Buffalo selected him in the fifth round of the 1999 NHL draft. He was twice named the NCAA's best goaltender and won the 2001 Hobey Baker award as the top player in college hockey at Michigan State.

The Lansing, Michigan, native picked up where he left off in the NHL, going 284-186-57 with a 2.58 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and 28 shutouts in 540 regular-season games as a member of the Sabres.

Miller also went 25-22 with a 2.47 GAA, .917 save percentage and three shutouts for Buffalo in playoff action, leading it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2006 and 2007.

He is the Sabres' all-time franchise leader in career goalie appearances and wins, and he also holds the single-season wins record for Buffalo with 41 in 2009-10.

After stints with the Blues and Canucks, Miller spent the final four seasons of his career with the Ducks, primarily in a backup role behind John Gibson.

For his career, Miller is 390-289-87 with a 2.63 goals-against average, .914 save percentage and 44 shutouts. Among American goaltenders, he is first in NHL history in wins and second in both games played and shutouts.

Miller was also a standout on the international stage, representing Team USA at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. At the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Miller led the U.S. to a silver medal and was named the MVP and best goaltender of the tournament, going 5-1 with a 1.35 GAA and .946 save percentage.

The Ducks noted that Miller is the only player in history to be named the best goalie in the NHL, Winter Olympics and AHL, as well as the top goalie and best player in the NCAA.

While Miller was never quite able to break through by winning a Stanley Cup or Olympic gold, his place in hockey history is secure, and he could receive some consideration for the Hall of Fame in the future.

Jamie Drysdale Drafted No. 6 Overall by Anaheim Ducks in 2020 NHL Draft

Oct 6, 2020
HAMILTON, ON - JANUARY 16: Jamie Drysdale #4 of Team Red skates during the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game against Team White at FirstOntario Centre on January 16, 2020 in Hamilton, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
HAMILTON, ON - JANUARY 16: Jamie Drysdale #4 of Team Red skates during the 2020 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game against Team White at FirstOntario Centre on January 16, 2020 in Hamilton, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

The Anaheim Ducks used the No. 6 overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft to select highly regarded defenseman Jamie Drysdale.

NHL Central Scouting named Drysdale the No. 3 North American skater and top defenseman in its final rankings.

The 18-year-old spent the past two years with Erie of the Ontario Hockey League, finishing the 2019-20 season with 47 points (nine goals, 38 assists) in 49 games. He was also a key part of Team Canada as it won the World Junior Championship in January.

In both competitions, Drysdale showcased his offensive skill set as a scorer and passer:

Central Scouting senior manager David Gregory described what Gregory brings to the table, via Adam Kimelman of NHL.com:

"Jamie Drysdale is the type of player that every team is looking for. Very smart puck-moving defenseman who can beat you with his vision, beat you with his hockey sense. [He's] able to use that great quickness and thinking to defend and strip a puck and turn it around, and before you know it, it's going the other way and finding the open man on the attack."

This two-way ability gives the 5'11", 175-pound player a lot of upside as he tries to make the leap to the next level.

Drysdale should be a reliable contributor for the Ducks before too long, even if he doesn't make an immediate jump to the NHL.  

Anaheim selected fellow defenseman Jackson LaCombe in the first round last season and have promising young contributors like Jacob Larsson on the current roster, but this could be another key addition to help solidify the unit going forward.

After producing one of the worst records in the NHL this season, this pick should help move the squad back toward contention.

Ducks Owners to Pay Part-Time Employees Through June 30 Amid Coronavirus

Apr 2, 2020
Anaheim Ducks owners Henry Samueli and his wife, Susan Samueli, speak during a ceremony for former Ducks player, Teemu Selanne, to retire his No. 8 jersey before an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)
Anaheim Ducks owners Henry Samueli and his wife, Susan Samueli, speak during a ceremony for former Ducks player, Teemu Selanne, to retire his No. 8 jersey before an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

Part-time employees of Anaheim Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli's sports and event management companies will continue to be paid through June 30 "for current or future rescheduled, postponed or canceled events," the Ducks announced on Thursday. 

Anaheim Arena Management President and CEO Tim Ryan provided a statement:

"The Samueli family's primary concern is the welfare of their employees. Today is another example of their kindness, generosity and support for the local community. As a result of their decision, 2,100 dedicated part-time staff members will have one less immediate concern during this significant health crisis. We join them in wishing everybody good health during this unprecedented time."

The NHL suspended its 2019-20 season on March 12 as a protective measure against the COVID-19 pandemic.

ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported on March 24 league office employees have temporarily had their pay cut by 25 percent in an effort to prevent layoffs.

Elsewhere, Dallas Stars President Jim Lites and General Manager Jim Nill took a voluntary 50-percent cut in salary on March 25. Nill spoke about the decision with ESPN's Greg Wyshynski:

"As soon as this virus hit and we started to see where things were going, we knew it was going to hit [owner Tom Gaglardi] hard, as he's in the hotel/restaurant business. And that it was going to hit all of us. We just thought this was the right thing for our organization to do. 

"We're just looking to help somebody else. Jim and I are very fortunate. The game's been great to us. But within our organization, we have a lot of younger people working who live paycheck to paycheck. We hope this is something that can help them down the road."

The Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes announced pay cuts for full-time employees on March 25:

Commissioner Gary Bettman discussed the unprecedented situation on the March 19 episode of ESPN's Get Up:

The NHL postponed the 2020 draft, scouting combine and awards ceremony.

Dallas Eakins, Ducks Reportedly Agree to Contract as New Head Coach

Jun 16, 2019
ADVANCE FOR USE SATURDAY, OCT. 10 - San Diego Gulls coach Dallas Eakins watches during hockey practice, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in San Diego. Less than a year removed from being fired in mid-season by the Edmonton Oilers, Eakins professes not to be in a rush to get back to the NHL as he begins to develop the top farm team for the Anaheim Ducks, who play just 90 minutes up the freeway. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
ADVANCE FOR USE SATURDAY, OCT. 10 - San Diego Gulls coach Dallas Eakins watches during hockey practice, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2015, in San Diego. Less than a year removed from being fired in mid-season by the Edmonton Oilers, Eakins professes not to be in a rush to get back to the NHL as he begins to develop the top farm team for the Anaheim Ducks, who play just 90 minutes up the freeway. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

The Anaheim Ducks have reportedly found their new head coach.

Curtis Zupke of the Los Angeles Times reported the Ducks are expected to announce Dallas Eakins as the head coach Monday. Eakins coached the San Diego Gulls—Anaheim's minor league affiliate—the last four seasons.

Eakins previously coached the Edmonton Oilers during the 2013-14 and 2014-15 campaigns but finished with a 36-63-14 record and zero playoff appearances.

He was much better in the minor leagues and led San Diego to the playoffs in three of the last four seasons after he took the Toronto Marlies to the Calder Cup Final in 2012.

Anaheim struggled this season on the way to a 35-37-10 record, snapping a stretch of six straight trips to the postseason. The team fired Randy Carlyle after 56 games and turned to Bob Murray as the interim coach but is going with a familiar face to many in the organization in Eakins.

Zupke noted he "helped grow the franchise's prospects, such as Shea Theodore and Brandon Montour, and more recently Maxime Comtois, Sam Steel, Max Jones and 2018 top draft pick Isac Lundestrom."

He will be under the microscope as he attempts to turn around a franchise that is accustomed to competing in the Western Conference. The Ducks won the 2007 Stanley Cup Final and reached the conference finals in two of the last five years.

Randy Carlyle Fired as Anaheim Ducks Head Coach After Losing 7th Straight Game

Feb 10, 2019
Anaheim Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle watches the action in the third period of an NHL hockey game between the Ducks and the Nashville Predators Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 5-2. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Anaheim Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle watches the action in the third period of an NHL hockey game between the Ducks and the Nashville Predators Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. The Predators won 5-2. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

The Anaheim Ducks announced the firing of coach Randy Carlyle on Sunday amid the team's seven-game losing streak.

General manager Bob Murray will take over the coaching position on an interim basis. 

"We thank Randy for everything he has done for the organization," said Murray. "Leading the team to a Stanley Cup and three conference final appearances, he has accomplished so much in Anaheim. Difficult decisions need to be made when times are tough, and our play has clearly been unacceptable. We have a tradition of success in Anaheim and we need to get back to that."

Carlyle, 62, was in the third season of his second tenure with the Ducks. He initially coached them from 2005 to his firing in the 2011-12 season. The Ducks made the playoffs in five of the seven seasons of his first tenure and each of the first two of his second. 

However, things have fallen apart since a sweep in the 2018 playoffs. Anaheim is currently tied for last in the Western Conference with 51 points and has the worst goal differential in the sport by a whopping 22 goals. 

Murray, 64, has been the Ducks GM since 2008. The franchise has made the postseason in six straight seasons, a streak that will almost certainly end in 2019.

Murray has no professional coaching experience at any level. 

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