the bigger ice rinks overseas. He has yet to make the adjustment (some never do) to the smaller rink.
He's got a ton of talent, you never know when the light might come on.
That's not true when looking at Miller's career up to the point where Kakko is. Miller after his draft year played a year in OHL...then split the next three years between Hartford and NYR. So his first four years in NHL were nothing great. In fact, Kakko had his first good NHL season a year earlier (last season in 22-23), before Miller finally did in his 5th year after being drafted. Difference is Miller continued to build on that, whereas Kakko took a step back this season. I'm still holding out hope for Kakko, but not nearly as confident as I had been.
Not to mention Miller was 15th overall, not the 2nd overall...so he never dealt with the expectations that Kakko has.
Everyone conveniently forgets that Miller didn't break out in Tampa
Miller was being shopped in VAN AFTER signing him to a long-term contract but before his NMC kicked in. They signed him in September 2022 to a 7-year $56M extension that was due to kick in for the 2023-2024 season.
It included a NMC that went into effect July 1 2023. Between September 2022 and July 2023, at the 2022-2023 deadline they were actively shopping him already.
And not just your typical "being shopped" the Penguins and Canucks were publicly pretty far down the path at that trade deadline before it fill apart.
Sometimes where there's smoke....
But...he seems to have possibly grown up or grown out of whatever it was that turned off the Canucks, Lightning and Rangers.
If Kakko improves, it's a steal of a contract. Worse case scenario it's not an overpay for a middle bottom 6 winger.
This
I still have bad memories of how Rangers gave up on JT Miller too soon.
Some of these power forward type players take longer to develop.
This is what I'm thinking. Very affordable contract for someone to take on.
That trade was a head scratcher.
That trade was a head scratcher.
He's got a ton of talent, you never know when the light might come on.
That trade was a head scratcher.
Easily one of the worst trades in Rangers history. Nonsensical and rushed.
That's not true when looking at Miller's career up to the point where Kakko is. Miller after his draft year played a year in OHL...then split the next three years between Hartford and NYR. So his first four years in NHL were nothing great. In fact, Kakko had his first good NHL season a year earlier (last season in 22-23), before Miller finally did in his 5th year after being drafted. Difference is Miller continued to build on that, whereas Kakko took a step back this season. I'm still holding out hope for Kakko, but not nearly as confident as I had been.
Not to mention Miller was 15th overall, not the 2nd overall...so he never dealt with the expectations that Kakko has.
Rare asshattery from me: Miller was traded in large part because he was an asshole.
It included a NMC that went into effect July 1 2023. Between September 2022 and July 2023, at the 2022-2023 deadline they were actively shopping him already.
And not just your typical "being shopped" the Penguins and Canucks were publicly pretty far down the path at that trade deadline before it fill apart.
Sometimes where there's smoke....
But...he seems to have possibly grown up or grown out of whatever it was that turned off the Canucks, Lightning and Rangers.