Miller Has Some "Bite"
In just his second NHL game, Rangers 2011 first round pick J.T. Miller did this during the Rangers 4-1 win vs. the Islanders last night...
Here's John Tortorella's thoughts on Miller...
"He's got some bite to him. I'd rather have a guy you need to tame a little bit as he's learning to be a pro than to try and get someone to play with some spunk like that. I like the way he carries himself. He's got some good strut to his game. We just got to make sure he doesn't cross the line the other way. And he's done that a few times along the way."
...there's been a lot of talk about the lack of swagger on this team. Who knew that it would be a 19-year old rookie who brings it back. Just watching him out there you can see the confidence he has in his abilities. Whether it's smacking his stick on the ice calling for the puck or stick handling through two defenders he's got a cockiness about him that up until this point I'm loving.
...now listening to Torts at the end of his comment mention Miller crossing the line a few times does have me concerned about how that arrogance will be perceived when things go wrong, and they will go wrong, but he couldn't have a better coach to teach him how to be a professional.
...almost more excited about Miller than Kreider right now. Which I didn't think could be possible last spring. And will likely change when Kreider has a two goal game next week.
Miller was also 5-for-8 on faceoffs.
Here's video of Torts and Miller's pressers...
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I'm sure Torts was talking about the turnover in front of the bench that lead to the Grabner breakaway. Awareness of where his support is at a moment like that. He made up for it later in the game and Torts didn't bench him for the mistake which was ..... Unexpected
I'm so glad to be able to watch these goals repeatedly. I had a blast at the game last night (I've never witnessed a loss at MSG -- maybe I need to go to more games). At the beginning of the game there were some loud Islanders fans behind me. That got quiet over the course of the game and left early. I Loved it.
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We have to keep this kid up. I love the swagger that he brings. Nothing better than confidence and the ability to back it up.
I'm not sure I understand the whole trade Boyle mindset. Yeah Boyle hasn't played that well since he got crushed in the playoffs, but we could do a lot worse as far as having a guy need to come in due to someone getting injured. It does seem like Boyle is the odd man out in this situation, although with Torts saying he considered benching Gabby, you have to wonder if he considered benching Nash since Nash really just seems to be coasting.
Boyle has experience and we've seen what he could do. I don't consider him a 20 goal scorer, but when playing his best he's a great penalty killer, one of our best shot blockers and just a solid defensive forward. Granted, if Sather can work magic, than that's a different story. But I'd rather keep Boyle than get rid of him.
@JoshKaye boyle is a 4th line player and always will be... nobody seems to notice but hes a puckhog and terrible passer almost never passes in the offensive zone.. if u go back and watch the goals in his 20 goal season they were flukey as hell either poorly played by the goalie or deflected off of his leg or a rebound.. i knew it was a fluke when it happened.. and hes not good enough in the defensive zone... i would not be against trading him because hes overpaid and it would free up capspace.. hes invisible out there even powe has looked better
@JoeAntos I said that he's not a 20 goal scorer you don't have to defend that statement. When he's in the offensive zone he tries to use his body and move the puck around. It's not that he's a puckhog or a terrible passer, it's that he's not good with his body so when he tries to do what Pyatt does so well, he usually fails. As for him not being good enough in the defensive zone, the guys one of our best penalty killers who has no problem blocking a shot with any part of his body. His defensive skills are what makes Boyle one of the better defensive forwards on this team. It's his complete lack of offensive skill that is currently crushing him.
@JoshKaye I agree, we really shouldn't trade Boyle. Even if someone takes his "spot", he can still play on the 4th line. I think having to play Boyle on the 4th line is a problem we'd want to have.
Just good to see someone burying the damn puck. If this doesn't rejuvenate our highly paid "scorers" on the team, I don't know what will.
If Girardi ends up being out long term, I agree with GLENsather. Trade Boyle for a 3rd or 4th defensman, so we can get eminger out of the lineup
TRADE BOYLE! We have a smarter, better scoring, FAST Dubinsky on our hands in Miller. TRADE BOYLER! TRADE BOYLER! TRADE BOYLER! TRADE BOYLER! TRADE BOYLER! TRADE BOYLER! TRADE BOYLER! TRADE BOYLER! TRADE BOYLER! TRADE BOYLER! TRADE BOYLER! TRADE BOYLER!
@GLENsatherVSglennDANZIG I can think of one reson not to. DZ. he isn't close to what we projected for him. They're good friends and if Boyle is traded it can affect DZs game. Especially if he's competing with another defenseman
@GLENsatherVSglennDANZIG I can think of one reson not to. DZ. he isn't close to what we projected for him. They're good friends and if Boyle is traded it outs affect DZs game. Especially if he's competing with another defenseman
@DanW @GLENsatherVSglennDANZIG that should never factor into a gms head.. u dont keep a player because hes totally besties with another player and if u think that would affect someones game ur silly.. if that was the case delzotto should quit hockey
If nothing else, Miller is definately a better interview. Did anyone see Kreider between periods last night? Love the kid, but he was dull, and thats being nice.
I agree miller has looked good so far, but he should not be considered a better prospect. Since Kreider has been back he has looked like a different player. Dare I say in the last 2 games he has been the best player on the ice. He is fast, big, strong, good with the puck and can snipe. Miller had a good game tonight but like he said he is more likely to dish the puck off too someone else then score. So Kreider will most likely be the one putting his passes home.
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@slapshot13j Kreider definitely has more raw talent, but Miller seems like the more intelligent player.
