Jim Benning signed Ryan Miller because he felt he owed his veteran team an experienced, top-flight goaltender, and Miller came to Vancouver on the general manager’s promise the Canucks would do what they could to win soon.

Two years into Miller’s three-year $18-million US contract, it’s not quite working out as either expected.

The Canucks were eight points out in the playoff race before the Colorado Avalanche, which hold the final wild card spot in the Western Conference despite losing 5-1 in Vancouver on Sunday, played the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday night.

The Canucks play the Ottawa Senators Thursday night at Rogers Arena.

Vancouver remains stuck halfway between the final playoff spot and last place overall. Alas, with the draft lottery in sight, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers have stepped down their game in the drive for top prospect Auston Matthews.

This being Vancouver, where the trade of a minor-league prospect eclipsed by others since his draft day causes widespread hysteria, Benning may or may not have another couple of seasons to get his team back up to the top third of the National Hockey League standings.

But we’re pretty sure Miller, who turns 36 in July, hasn’t the time to wait.

And yet, there is no evidence yet that Benning is willing to trade Miller before Monday’s NHL dealing deadline, nor is there much desire from the American Olympian to leave Vancouver for a better chance at winning.

“I honestly try not to think about it too much,” Miller said of the trade deadline. “There’s a job I have to do and worrying about that other stuff tends to get in the way. I haven’t thought about it that much, because I haven’t had a conversation with Jim on that level. I’m in a position to get information if I need it. It hasn’t been offered and I don’t feel I need it.

“Certainly, when I came in (before last season) it was a little bit of a different landscape, the way we’ve gone from veteran to younger players. When I talked with management about coming here, they were keen on getting the pieces in place to win, and I just have to believe that’s what their mindset is.”

Miller’s contract includes a limited no-trade clause. Benning hasn’t asked the goalie for a trade list, and Miller certainly isn’t going to volunteer one.

There are a few teams planning on challenging for the Stanley Cup this spring that Miller would help. The Sharks top the list. Of course, absorbing Miller’s $6-million cap hit would be an issue for most teams.

The only time Miller was traded in his 14-year career, from Buffalo to St. Louis two years ago at the deadline, was a disaster. Miller won only 12 of 25 starts for the Blues, struggled in the playoffs and was ushered into free agency by St. Louis.

“I got a chance at it in St. Louis in this kind of situation and, honestly, it was a lot more difficult that I ever thought it would be,” Miller said. “You come into somebody else’s situation and try to learn everything on the fly.