Miller Thinks He Should Stay
Brett Cyrgalis at the New York Post has this confident boast by J.T. Miller after his strong performance in the Rangers 3-1 loss to the Devils...
“Personally, after the way I played in the end, it wouldn’t make sense for me not to be here."
Cyrgalis notes that Miller did back off that statement adding this afterward...
"I don’t know how to put it. I think I can skate here, is what I mean. I just have to make sure I stay consistent if they give me the opportunity.”
...i don't think he should back down from those statements at all. Absolutely nothing wrong with having confidence in yourself and your ability. Would like to see a few other Rangers players with that mindset.
...for a 19-year old, I thought he held up physically as he was strong along the boards, tenacious on the forecheck and fought for positioning in front of the net. Sounds like a Torts hockey player to me.
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If this kid keeps playing like he did last night theres no chance they send him back down. Right now he's giving Stepan and Boyle a run for their money, and I would not be one bit surprised to see these guys sit a game or two if Miller delivers.
With any luck Sather can work his magic again and get something for Boyle before the trade deadline. No point in having a guy who's 6'7" on the ice who could get knocked over by a small child.
Damn right he should stay, and Stepan and Boyle aren't exactly competing to remain. Kreider, Callahan, Miller, Halpern playing well, Pyatt solid... Stepan and Boyle are going to find themselves squeezed out.
Almost certainly backed down because Tortorella loathes any semblance of hubris. Even if you act as humble as Kreider, Tortsy still knocks you.
What else is he supposed to say, of course he thinks he's good enough to stay, but that's not the right question. Is he good enough for the Rangers to burn a year of his entry level deal? I'm not so sure of that. I think they have four more games to decide. I think the team's play in those four games is going to be more of the deciding factor than Miller's play. If the Rangers go 0 for 4 in those games or 1 and 3, they'll send him back down because with the shortened season, 5 and 8 after 25% of the season is going to look like lottery pick time. They could then always bring him back later in the season if they picked up their play and thought they needed him then.
If he can keep up his play, there's no reason for him not to stay. Have said that, I'm so ashamed of this team. They have a great opportunity and they seem like they want to piss it way...
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Absolutely agree, Kevin, no reason for him to back down. I said at the beginning of the year that I didn't like that guys like Asham, Pyatt, Halpern, and even Nash kept saying "I'm just trying to fit in" or "i'm just going to try to help". F' that! It's cliche, but winners want the puck on their stick when it matters most. When your goalie is pulled with 2 minutes left in a game, anyone who just wants to "fit in" can take a seat on the bench, as far as I'm concerned.
Last year's team had swagger. This years doesn't but this kid does. He looked like more of a vet last night than half the team. He was confident and smart with the puck, tough along the boards, and responsible on D. It's a problem with playing for Torts, and its part of the problem with or PP, as well as other areas, but everyone just seems too afraid to screw up. Miller wasn't playing to not screw up, he was playing to make a difference and this team needs more of that.
I was very pleased with Miller. As you say, could be Tort's kind of player... as long as Torts is here.
Kind of shocking to hear him say that after only 10 minutes of NHL hockey...but hopefully he carries this swagger into next game and shows what he can really do...he defintly looked to gather confidence as the game went on
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@Andrew794 Swagger. Something this team is missing, big time. I like Kreider's level headed, humbleness mixed with Miller's outright confidence and self awareness. Nice combo.
