Miller Proving He Belongs
JT Miller has been in the NHL for 11 games and to me proven he belongs. After a hot start that saw him score two goals against the Islanders in just his second NHL game, Miller had a bit of a lull in his game, which was to be expected after likely playing on pure adrenaline after his surprising call-up. But the last two games he's picked up his battle level with a power play assist, seven shots on goal and four hits.
For a young player to overcome a bit of adversity so early in his career is a testament to his mental fortitude and an indication that the kid has what it takes to succeed in the NHL. Here's his coach...
"You watch him, he's making a difference. He makes some dumb plays. He doesn't know how to play when he's tired. That's a really weak spot of his game.He has to learn how to play when you're tired on the ice. You still have to get something done. But I like what he does He is sure of himself. He has the right type of confidence. He makes some mistakes, but these last two games when some guys flatten out as a young kid, he's only 19, when they flatten out and settle in, he's grabbed himself and has played well."
Speaking of Miller's confidence, here's what he said yesterday (via NY Post)...
“I’m up here for a reason. I’m going to do the things I do well and that’s all I can control. I’m just going to go out and play the way I can play. I’m going to do the things that make me successful and ultimately help the team. I just have to play hard every shift, not take anything for granted.”
...love the swagger this kid brings to the line-up. He's a talented player and he knows it. Someone mentioned in the comments section of last night's game recap that Miller's decision to play in the OHL over college seems to have had a positive effect on his game, which I 100% agree with. More talent and a much more physical style of play in the OHL. You can see he is a more complete player than Kreider who played his hockey at Boston College and at this point you have say Miller has jumped over Kreider as the Rangers most promising prospect/rookie.
...what's also helping Miller's game is that Tortorella's system is perfect for him. Speed, physicality and defense. Couldn't hand pick a better style for the youngster.
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Miller's got what Kreider lacks. BALLZ. This kid is gonna be a force to recon with, love the way he plays.
I really like his game. He reminds me of Dubi in some ways, I just hope he keeps getting better. Can we get him a better number than 47? Hags looks right in 62, Arti looked good in 42, Nash somehow makes 61 look good. But I don't think I'll look at Miller in 2 years and say yep that's a good looking number.
Miller has certainly surprised with his level of readiness for the NHL game. Great to see. I thought Kreider's comments the other day were pretty telling of where he is. He said he just started to understand that you could hit guys at the NHL level and not get a penalty. Sounds like because of his size, when he hits people in College or the AHL, he gets called for a penalty so he's gotten used to riding them into the boards. He just started to use his body in his last few games, so hopefully he continues that trend in Hartford (penalties be damned) and puts that together with his offensive skills. At this point Miller is better suited to the NHL game, but I would guess that Kreider still has a higher offensive upside.
What makes Miller a more complete player than Kreider? I really don't see it. There are a lot of shifts where Miller not only doesn't touch the puck but seems to be skating around aimlessly. What am I missing here?
@TheNYRBlog playing with Boyle who never touches puck and alligator arm Gabby who won't go on the boards?? LMAO! u crack me up!
@PATR2014 @TheNYRBlog dude im really beginning to think ur an islanders fan. U love when they loose. Oh yea, how did step look?
@MTopper319 @TheNYRBlog Nash showed you what a $7.5 million HOCKEY player does by your coment its cup time?
@PATR2014 let's see how the team does his year, please also know u can't just make the right moves and easily win.That's not how sports work
@MTopper319 don't know what you watch at times.do you want to win cup or not? isn't that the object? or R you its ok as long as compete.
@MTopper319 you talk foolish.only bad things? its the same 3or 4 guys producing. Hags, accly and Nash when they win. Bickel, eminger 4 mins
@PATR2014 point being is I believe in this team,u clearly don't. And that's fine. But u would find only bad things to talk about after 4-1 W
@MTopper319 ok i won't comment to you for a few games and we shall see how they are doing...i hope they do well. 4 of top 6 at 5'10 ?
@PATR2014 ur all over the place.. gotta get back to work. Lets go rangers. (And by that i mean the team the have now)
@MTopper319 1 dimensional player ...whose dimension is 1 goal in 14 or 15. you can have him. Boyle is no hockey player. dufus , no hands
@MTopper319 again Boyle playing well?? stepan scores a goal so he is playing well. still don't know what your watching, Gabby is....
@PATR2014 @TheNYRBlog job in restructuring the identity of this team and when the rangers make a run im sure u still wont agree
@PATR2014 @TheNYRBlog its frustrating because step has played extremely well lately and boyle has played well too. Torts is doing a good
@PATR2014 @TheNYRBlog the money they get paid. That doesmt mean u give someone a milliom dollar bonus for surpassing what tge value is
@PATR2014 @TheNYRBlog their is always going to be players they underplay there contract at times just like players will play better then
@PATR2014 @TheNYRBlog by ur math the caps should dump ovi and the flyers should dump giroux
@PATR2014 @TheNYRBlog rangers dont make it to the ecf without him and if u think everyone should play like nash, then play avideo game
@PATR2014 @TheNYRBlog gabby has been streaky his whole career the requires top pair defense. Opens the game up for guys like hags.
@PATR2014 @TheNYRBlog please tell me what other player that scores 40 goals and an Allstar isnt worth 7.5... please.
@MTopper319 @TheNYRBlog dunno what you watch...glad they won, but nothin changes my mind..to soft Gabby , step, and need PP d man. W/Shot
@PATR2014 @TheNYRBlog ive tried to be civil. But at this point ur clearly root against the rangers. And u sound very uneducated
@MTopper319 @TheNYRBlog Gabby Playing with No hands Boyle?? hehehe 7.5 million...1 goal in 15? good game aginst no D fense.
@PATR2014 @TheNYRBlog ur that guy in the group where ur team could win the cup and u would still complain about something. Im done
@PATR2014 @TheNYRBlog u are constantly trying to find something wrong and are so far gone ur impossible to converse with
@PATR2014 @TheNYRBlog gretz and mess were never good defenders. What an idiot teams were to pay those bums huh? Lol
@PATR2014 @TheNYRBlog whens the last time u saw stamkos block a shot? Maybe they should dump him he sucks right?
@MTopper319 @TheNYRBlog / stepan?? he scored on open net ...cally made the play. he still has NO COMPETE on boards. and Gabby? LMAO !!
@PATR2014 @TheNYRBlog o i forgot stepan being in a perfect position for that pass and starting that forcheck doesnt mean anything
“@TheNYRBlog: JT Miller and Tortorella's system are the perfect pairing: http://t.co/4aeKnIZevG #nyr #nyrangers”
