Toggle sidebar

Prospect Info: 2020 WJC NYR Prospect Speculation

  • Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
Algernop Kreider said:
I concede that I may be missing things, but the mistakes are definitely there, and definitely noticeable. A couple instances of losing the puck while trying to walk the line, passing to no one in the rush, blind chips up the boards when he has time in the d zone, etc.

Edit:
I also really didn't like when he took a n tripping penalty in the d zone, and responded by turning away from the play and slamming his stick on the ice while the Czechs had the puck.
Click to expand...
I agree with you, Miller has looked over matched. I've seen him throw numerous pucks up the wall to the opposition D, when all he had to do is show a touch more poise to make a positive play.
In today's game, he got beat to the post by a Czech F for a goal(I am not 100% that it was a goal).
Rangers will have to be patient with him. He is a big guy learning the position. He is athletic, but can be lumbering. He's at least 2-3 years away from playing any meaningful NHL minutes.
 
So far Miller has done much better than he did a year ago, and that while Team USA has played in a group of death.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ola
Kovalev27 said:
Bad plays with the puck? When?

Miller rarely makes a pass that doesn’t connect. He made one bad play with the puck against Canada. That’s about it.

He’s been very good defensively I just haven’t seen a whole lot of offense. Wish he’d just attack the game more but seems like he’s in a stay at home dman role.

the pk goal where he lost his stick he made a tremendous play blocking the shot.
Click to expand...

I think Key's been good. 1st goal against, his D parter whose on his off wing missed the wrap, and the right wing wasn't there. The Czechs got to it, and fired it through a screen.

On the 5 on 3, I thought he was outstanding right before the goal. He went down to take away the passing lane, and the Czech player made a hell of a play, it was a sauce that went off-wing to off-wing for a tap in 1 timer. Key can learn from the 5v3, where he went down to take away the lane. That's being coached into him. I think what he should have done is challenged the left shot on the off wing with a stick on puck play and force a retreat. The Czech player found a lane and sauced it.

Players make great plays, I don't hold it against him on that.

Love the shot blocking. Guys fearless. Has been an eraser on the walls too. Not perfect, but man are the tools tantalizing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ola
I don't understand how you could think Miller looked "overmatched". The things that are being mentioned--throwing the puck up the boards to only a defender, passes to nowhere, not always being in position--are a combination of his rawness and playing with essentially a new team. All the guys make idiotic passes and attempts with the puck because they don't know the guys they're playing with. Miller knows Caufield and Turcotte (who have been generally invisible) and of course, Emberson. Otherwise, it's like he and the rest of the bunch just wrapped up camp and are a couple games into the exhibition slate.

He's the #1 PKer on (an admittedly bad) PK unit. He's 20 seconds off the lead for TOI. He's out there in big spots at the end of games. I acknowledge his poor start, but he has definitely righted the ship, and he's definitely not overmatched in any way. Sloppy? Sure, like everyone else. The absolute worst I could say of him is that he hasn't stood out often.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ola
The only thing that stands out negatively for me with Miller is that he like many Ds on US and Canada aren't used to the big ice. The tempo goes a bit in ways, it’s a bit more of a dance with difference rhythms. In NA you are more on for every second, on the big ice you need to take bigger curves and build up speed for when the play turns and comes at you.

Look, for me is all that matters with Miller that (1) he is a quick learner, sure he might have some issues, but he also handles many situations really well, (2) he is big and strong AND can skate really well, and (3) he is certainly not without offensive talent. Hard shot. Can get up ice, great reach.

That combo — at the level Miller is — is just rare and so hard to find.

And I really love how he can just step up and eat up players in 1 on 1 battles.

With that said, everything is about context, someone above referred to that he is 2-3 years away from playing big NHL minutes. Well that is another story, I definitely think that is a reasonable time line.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheDirtyH, kovazub94 and nyr2k2
I think its been very hard to tell where Miller’s game is at based on the WJC. I feel like thats the case for most defenseman, especially North American defensemen. Bigger ice, short tournament with no chemistry developed, plus the style of play including team play is all over the place. He hasn’t looked bad by any means, but its hard to tell if the mistakes he has made are exclusive to him (other than the turnover in the CAN game) or part of the whole overall play when he is on the ice for any given shift.
 
RGY said:
I think its been very hard to tell where Miller’s game is at based on the WJC. I feel like thats the case for most defenseman, especially North American defensemen. Bigger ice, short tournament with no chemistry developed, plus the style of play including team play is all over the place. He hasn’t looked bad by any means, but its hard to tell if the mistakes he has made are exclusive to him (other than the turnover in the CAN game) or part of the whole overall play when he is on the ice for any given shift.
Click to expand...
Well he makes the same types of mistakes at Wisconsin.

He still needs time to develop. We knew he would be a long term project.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ola
bl02 said:
He's already becoming a polarizing player lol.
I only got to watch the first period because of work and he didn't look too bad. We know this is the kind of talent we took a chance on because of his physical abilities and size but Patience/development are gonna be very key.
Click to expand...
That's good in a way...

We need to get more scapegoats in training for the future.

(Just kidding)
 
bobbop said:
That's good in a way...

We need to get more scapegoats in training for the future.

(Just kidding)
Click to expand...

It seems to me that Miller is playing a bit careful. On the 5 on 3 GA he should have stayed on his feet and kept his stick in the lane -- retaining some ability to react. But instead he kinda pulled a Staal. Went down, put his stick flat on the ice. which took him out of every play but one. The problem is, on a 5-3, there was literally no one else to pressure the passer, which meant he had plenty of time to tee up and try that saucer pass.

Again, I think Key was trying too hard to stay in his position. Same thing happened on the screen shot where he was in between two opponents in front of the net. He sorta took the man in front of him, but didn't move him out of the way. So, essentially, there were not 1 but 3 players screening Knight -- and that was in addition to the USA forward who also screened the release of the shot. Again, Miller was a bit too passive. He needs to use his size to push the opponent out and his frame to keep them out.

To me, it seems like a player who's afraid of running around and getting caught out of position. Once he feels more comfortable, I think he'll be more aggressive. After all, he shows his aggressiveness in other areas of the game, so I think it's just a matter of time. Also have to think that ref situation at the WJC where they're calling super soft penalties may be keeping him from making the more physically aggressive play. That said, from the little I've seen of him at Wisconsin this season, he's making similar adjustments.

Finally, it seems to be that Miller is still learning an early building block of D. Just knowing where he needs to be in all situations and then how to position his frame/stick to be the most effective. The good news is, he's rarely caught far out of position. So, he's generally in the right area. He just needs to refine what he's doing in those areas to defend better.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brooklyn Rangers Fan
bl02 said:
He's already becoming a polarizing player lol.
I only got to watch the first period because of work and he didn't look too bad. We know this is the kind of talent we took a chance on because of his physical abilities and size but Patience/development are gonna be very key.
Click to expand...

I’ll repeat a few things with regards to Miller, and I think they’ll make more sense now that more people have had a chance to see him:

1. He’s a work in progress who needs time to cook.

2. While he has the tools to be a number one defenseman, he’s likely not going to be a kid who steps right into that role.

3. I’m still a little hesitant to have a lot of our higher end hopes, projections and roster building proposals hinging on his ability to become a number one defenseman — especially if he is indeed the type who may not put it all together until he is 25ish. It’s why I am hesitant to make moves with someone like Skjei based on the assumption that Miller comes in and everything is fine.

4. I think the odds are very good that Miller becomes polarizing to our fan base, particularly on here. Especially during the time period where fans see flashes of what he could become, but also see growing pains.
 
  • Like
Reactions: haveandare and UnSandvich
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom