Frank Seravalli shares his bold prediction for the Vancouver Canucks this season

PUBLICATION

Cooper Godin
October 7, 2024 (12:23)

SHARE THIS STORY

Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli shared his bold prediction for the Vancouver Canucks this season.

On the eve of the 2024-25 National Hockey League season, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff decided to share one bold prediction for each of the 32 teams heading into the new campaign.

For the Vancouver Canucks, Seravalli said that J.T. Miller will win the Selke Trophy, which is handed out annually to the National Hockey League's best defensive forward. The last and only time a member of the Vancouver Canucks won the Selke Trophy was Ryan Kesler following the 2010-11 season.

Seravalli pointed out a quote from J.T. Miller last week where he told Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre that he wants to be a really good 200-foot player in the league this season.

"J.T. Miller will become the first Vancouver Canuck since Ryan Kesler to capture the Selke Trophy. Money Miller quote to Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre: "I don't want my ceiling to be based on points. I may play an even better 200-foot game this year and have 20 less points. That's not a failure to me. I want to be a really good 200-foot player in the league." Winner's mindset." Seravalli said.

Miller has been a strong defensive forward for the Canucks in recent years and if he's able to somehow push that to another level, it wouldn't be shocking to see him as one of the three finalists for the Selke Trophy at the end of the 2024-25 season.

The 31-year-old will get plenty of time on the Canucks' penalty killing units throughout the season and when the team needs a faceoff win in the defensive zone, Rick Tocchet can turn to J.T. Miller. Miller finished the season with a faceoff percentage of 56.3, the second-highest of his career.

Miller will be in tough when it comes to taking home the Selke Trophy as every year, the same players seem to be in the mix, for good reason. Los Angeles' Anze Kopitar, Florida's Alexander Barkov are two players that, on a yearly basis, are favourites to win the award.