Ryan Miller

1 week ago | ksl.com | Ryan Miller

SALT LAKE CITY — Walker Kessler was reflecting on what led to his strong third season when it hit him: He was getting older. "Last summer gave me such a good jump start into … I guess my third year. My third year — yeah, that's crazy," the Utah Jazz center said. Kessler has grown up. He averaged 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds in his third season while being visibly stronger, more active, and playing with a different urgency.

1 week ago | ksl.com | Ryan Miller

SALT LAKE CITY — Robert Bortuzzo took his time leaving the ice Tuesday night in St. Louis. He shook hands with former teammates and glanced around the Enterprise Center, soaking in the moment. He wasn't just savoring the final game of Utah's inaugural season, he may have been savoring his last time on NHL ice. The veteran defenseman was a surprise inclusion to the lineup in Utah's final game of the year, a 6-1 loss to the Blues.

1 week ago | ksl.com | Ryan Miller

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy was presented with a hypothetical situation the day after his third season in Utah came to a close. What if a more playoff-ready team came calling this offseason — would he listen? "That's a crazy scenario," he said. "I don't see a world where that would happen."Coming off a 17-win season, that is an understandable response, but it's not quite as far-fetched as he makes it sound. Despite the Jazz's struggles, Hardy remains well regarded around the league.

1 week ago | ksl.com | Ryan Miller

SALT LAKE CITY — André Tourigny was a bit taken aback. Nearly four years ago, Tourigny sat down with a young Clayton Keller for the first time. Tourigny had just been hired to oversee what was expected to be a lengthy rebuild project with the Arizona Coyotes, but that wasn't the impression he got as he spoke to the young star. Keller began listing all the things he wanted to achieve in the NHL. Tourigny can't remember all of them now, but some made him raise his eyebrows (at least internally).

1 week ago | ksl.com | Ryan Miller

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Jazz general manager Justin Zanik understands the frustration. The losses, the lengthy injury reports, the "rest" days — tanking is tough. It's hard on players who have to pretend it's not happening. It's hard on coaches who have to be diligent in developing players and making game plans when the organization wants to lose. And it's hard on fans who have to watch their team purposely sit its best players. "It's natural to be frustrated," Zanik said.