Canucks GM finally addresses rumors behind JT Miller's personal leave

Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin met with the media today to announce that the team's leading goal scorer Brock Boeser will return to the lineup for tonight's game against the Boston Bruins.

Boeser has been out of the lineup since suffering a suspected concussion from Los Angeles Kings forward Tanner Jeannot.

“Yeah, he'll play tonight,” head coach Rick Tocchet said alongside Allvin. “He came to me yesterday, and he wants to play. Those situations, obviously, when you're medically cleared, then it's the player's decision, I always think. A guy like Brock, he wants to play every game.”

“From my experience, you use it to your advantage,” Tocchet said of the emotional aspect of Boeser’s return. “But we still have to stay (with) the identity of our team. We played a really smart hockey game in Ottawa (4-3 win on Saturday). Things don't change because Brock comes in, or we start getting guys back. We've got to stay with identity, so that's really the message.”

While talking about the team's lineup, Allvin was also asked about veteran forward JT Miller's absence from the team. Without revealing too much, Allvin seemed to indicate that Miller is working through mental health difficulties and that he's proud of him for putting his health first.

“First and foremost, I'm very proud of J.T. seeking help,” Allvin said. “I don't know if he said it, but I believe that he's going to be a better person, better teammate and better hockey player when he returns. And we sure miss him; he's such an impactful hockey player. I think we have and the league has all the right support to help him.”

As for Tocchet... it's clear that he's missing Miller, a player with a reputation for being a coach's dream.

“Listen, I miss the guy,” coach Rick Tocchet said after the Canucks’ optional skate this morning. “But obviously there are things that are more important than hockey. He's a huge part of our team, and when a guy like that is not there, you notice.”

Whatever's going on in Miller's personal life, it's clear that he's got the support of his teammates both on the ice and in the front office.

Canucks GM finally addresses rumors behind JT Miller's personal leave

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