The New York Rangers benefitted from JT Miller's addition to the lineup instantly. He'd put on his new jersey, in a familiar place, and tally two goals in his reunion with the Rangers. Peter Laviolette's praises for Miller in a recent interview show his confidence in him.
JT Miller was acquired in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks and would return to Madison Square Garden to escape Elias Pettersson and GM Patrik Allvin, to do one thing: play hockey.
Something he's done well during his career, during his 2021-2022 season with the Canucks he'd score 99 points, and in 2023-2024 would score 103 points.
Putting him in elite company in the NHL, while not on the level with Connor McDavid, he gives players like David Pastrnak and Nathan MacKinnon a run for their money.
Since he's arrived in New York, Peter Laviolette has been impressed with his game and would give him a glowing review.
USA Today's Vince Mercogliano reports:
You can tell he's won Laviolette's trust, as he plays the game right and as a Head Coach expects.
He plays on both ends of the ice and has a grit to his game that keeps him engaged, and unafraid of pushing back if someone tries to intimidate him on the ice.
Miller is unafraid of crashing the net, and during his 35 to 40-second shifts never plays soft.
His scouting report tell us all about how his game has developed in the NHL, and how much of his game hasn't changed.
He's not the most creative player on the ice but he does have the ability
to make the easy play. Miller's passing and shooting abilities are at the very least solid and consistent but he does show flashes at times of high end abilities in this regard. Miller plays his end of the ice well and has a physical side that makes him difficult to play against.
to make the easy play. Miller's passing and shooting abilities are at the very least solid and consistent but he does show flashes at times of high end abilities in this regard. Miller plays his end of the ice well and has a physical side that makes him difficult to play against.
Unlike players like Mika Zibanejad, Miller is unafraid of pushing back and will instead impose his will on the opposing team.
In only 18 games with the Rangers his scoring abilities remain at a high-level as he's posted 18 points (7 goals, 11 assists) in that time frame.
Peter Laviolette knows Miller's game well, and that is why he trusts him every night on the ice to do what he needs to win game.
