I heard that and so have a few people on Rangers Twitter, apparently.
I'm shocked, a NY team kicks player once he leaves town.
and some people think it's only Boston who does that. They all do, makes trades/non-signs look better.
lol, well I think that's why he was moved from TB so quickly as well.
Definitely possible - but Miller was there for at least a little while before TB signed him long-term. I just took it at face value he was a cap casualty in TB.
He was getting paid 1st line money for being a 3rd line center (on TB). With Stamkos and Point ahead of him and Killorn and Cirrelli providing depth - the Lightning were loaded down the middle, JT Miller was a luxury.
They got a 1st and a 3rd for him from VAN which other than Howden and Hajek (not completely dismissing them) is comparable to what the Rangers got from TB for Miller and McDonagh when those guys were two years younger.
He was crucified early on as the current iteration of late career Staal or Girardi, Jack Johnson, etc. but this guy has really settled in as a solid lockdown 3rd pair defender. He and Lundkvist had their best game last night, in my opinion. Trouba continues to play more and more like the player we thought we were getting when he was acquired as well. Having a 3rd pair that is not a complete liability (except when Tinordi has been in) has made a huge difference.
I'm also really impressed with this forward group, you can see them all coming together. Mika is not scoring goals, but he's generating offense and playing a good two way game. Panarin has really picked it up after a slow start, same with Kakko. I wish Chytil could finish a little better, because he has been electric with and without the puck. They have turned into a legitimate 4-line team. They are getting better as the season progresses, starting to do a better job suppressing opposing shots and generating more of their own, and as long as Igor is in net, they're going to have a chance to win every game.
maybe we underestimate the challenges of moving to new team, system, mates, city, etc. I thought also that one of the reasons for his signing was to give Lundkvist a Swedish speaking backline mate to ease his transition. He's really young...looks the part
I think Nemeth still sucks but that Lunkvist has settled in.
Struggles defensively with gap control and it leads to relying on his athleticism to make up for it, sometimes it doesn't work against speed players (the McDavid play for one but who doesn't struggle with McDavid's speed).
He also still struggles sometimes with coverage, what I mean is which guy is his when there are multiple.
that said, he's a massive improvement over Staal, Brendan Smith, late career Girardi, and the other stiffs they've had on the blue line the past few years and I think he's coachable and oozing athleticism so he's definitely a net positive, but I won't sugarcoat it, he's got some work to do.
I would agree, and a lot of it makes sense considering he's still relatively new to playing defense. Those finer points of playing the position aren't quite there yet. I think he was switched to D at age 16 with the USNTDP. Then jumped right into the NHL from college, he's handled it relatively well all things considered. The skating ability and athleticism is what you dream on for that position though. I'm overall happy with his progress.
My one real gripe is that he plays a very finesse style for a guy of his size and strength. I don't mind that so much with forwards, but with defensemen I'd like to see more physicality to his game.
pj, the way I sum Miller up is: "It's clear he is a converted forward". Clearly uses his athleticism as a crutch, but he's made strides.
Brent Burns took a long time to click.
Absolutely agree, I think Miller is probably ahead of where Burns was at similar age.
I meant what I said to be in no way negative. Miller will be a star in this league if he gets the right coaching and people have some patience. I already like him on the PP.
He's just scratching the surface. His size, length and skating ability have helped him overcome his deficiencies on defense due to a lack of experience. As the years go on, he'll only improve.
RE: Miller's still a work in progress and that's fine
My one real gripe is that he plays a very finesse style for a guy of his size and strength. I don't mind that so much with forwards, but with defensemen I'd like to see more physicality to his game.
it kills me, it killed me with players like Joe Thornton too because people will say a lot of things are not teachable, but I believe the only thing not teachable is size.
but like you say, Thornton is a forward and you can live with his finesse game at F (plus he was putting up Hart level #'s), I'd also like Miller to be more physical, it may be a timing thing and it will come as he gets more comfortable with the NHL pace.
He's going to be an UFA at the end of the year and we likely won't be able to afford to bring him back. So do we trade him now and get something for him or just let him walk at the end of the season? I lean towards the latter because we are "going for it" and his chemistry with Panarin is too valuable. Plus, he's the best 2C option we have.
I heard that and so have a few people on Rangers Twitter, apparently.
Quote:
Is he an issue in the locker room?
I heard that and so have a few people on Rangers Twitter, apparently.
I'm shocked, a NY team kicks player once he leaves town.
and some people think it's only Boston who does that. They all do, makes trades/non-signs look better.
Quote:
In comment 15476989 five5 said:
Quote:
Is he an issue in the locker room?
I heard that and so have a few people on Rangers Twitter, apparently.
I'm shocked, a NY team kicks player once he leaves town.
and some people think it's only Boston who does that. They all do, makes trades/non-signs look better.
lol, well I think that's why he was moved from TB so quickly as well.
Quote:
In comment 15477009 BrettNYG10 said:
Quote:
In comment 15476989 five5 said:
Quote:
Is he an issue in the locker room?
I heard that and so have a few people on Rangers Twitter, apparently.
I'm shocked, a NY team kicks player once he leaves town.
and some people think it's only Boston who does that. They all do, makes trades/non-signs look better.
lol, well I think that's why he was moved from TB so quickly as well.
Definitely possible - but Miller was there for at least a little while before TB signed him long-term. I just took it at face value he was a cap casualty in TB.
He was getting paid 1st line money for being a 3rd line center (on TB). With Stamkos and Point ahead of him and Killorn and Cirrelli providing depth - the Lightning were loaded down the middle, JT Miller was a luxury.
They got a 1st and a 3rd for him from VAN which other than Howden and Hajek (not completely dismissing them) is comparable to what the Rangers got from TB for Miller and McDonagh when those guys were two years younger.
I'm also really impressed with this forward group, you can see them all coming together. Mika is not scoring goals, but he's generating offense and playing a good two way game. Panarin has really picked it up after a slow start, same with Kakko. I wish Chytil could finish a little better, because he has been electric with and without the puck. They have turned into a legitimate 4-line team. They are getting better as the season progresses, starting to do a better job suppressing opposing shots and generating more of their own, and as long as Igor is in net, they're going to have a chance to win every game.
Struggles defensively with gap control and it leads to relying on his athleticism to make up for it, sometimes it doesn't work against speed players (the McDavid play for one but who doesn't struggle with McDavid's speed).
He also still struggles sometimes with coverage, what I mean is which guy is his when there are multiple.
that said, he's a massive improvement over Staal, Brendan Smith, late career Girardi, and the other stiffs they've had on the blue line the past few years and I think he's coachable and oozing athleticism so he's definitely a net positive, but I won't sugarcoat it, he's got some work to do.
Brent Burns took a long time to click.
My one real gripe is that he plays a very finesse style for a guy of his size and strength. I don't mind that so much with forwards, but with defensemen I'd like to see more physicality to his game.
Brent Burns took a long time to click.
Absolutely agree, I think Miller is probably ahead of where Burns was at similar age.
I meant what I said to be in no way negative. Miller will be a star in this league if he gets the right coaching and people have some patience. I already like him on the PP.
My one real gripe is that he plays a very finesse style for a guy of his size and strength. I don't mind that so much with forwards, but with defensemen I'd like to see more physicality to his game.
it kills me, it killed me with players like Joe Thornton too because people will say a lot of things are not teachable, but I believe the only thing not teachable is size.
but like you say, Thornton is a forward and you can live with his finesse game at F (plus he was putting up Hart level #'s), I'd also like Miller to be more physical, it may be a timing thing and it will come as he gets more comfortable with the NHL pace.
Rangers have 2 Norris winners, a Vezina winner, a future Art Ross winner (Laf), a current Art Ross Winner (Panerin), future Selke winner (Kakko).
And they'll blow it all up in two years for more grit. My body is ready.