if a prospect is traded it will be Miller.. He isn't a AV favorite and i am hearing they are down on him
To the extent true, this is an X factor which could not only impede his development, but run him out of town. That's one thing if we get at least Pysyk from Buffalo or with adds, Rutolainen from the Sabes; it's another if we poisoned his value (initials MDZ ring a bell?).
However, there is more reason than not to be optimistic, although nothing is guaranteed.
Let's say Miller has an impulse to be sophomoric; he NOW has the 'been there, done that' Hartford resume, showing he has nowhere to go but up. Rangers MUST use him HERE, or trade him. It behooves JT to really bend over backwards, not only in effort, but in mind, to succeed here, at least as to entry level. Track record is once he gets acclamated to a level, he succeeds.
Let's say AV's impulse is this IS really MY team NOW, I'm gonna put my own stamp on it NOW. It behooves him too to admit Miller has qualities we need, at a position we need.
So both guys have strong impetus to at least try to make everything work.
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With one modification for update, I continue to maintain as I have, regardless of the fact virtually all of you disagree --- I will ultimately be proven right (subject to certain conditions).
Miller is the fastest C we have. Up until the other day, this was not too close, IMO. Lombardi is very fast, and there is always the possibility of chemistry. However, I don't see Lombardi at this point challenging, perhaps that disclaimer may better apply in the future.
That said, Rangers MUST use Kreider and MSL
on the same line to max speed. Anything else takes away from the synergy of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. There is only one conditional scenario that does not apply yet that would change that, which I will discuss below.
Ergo, the forces that be will ultimately have to bend, buckle and break and do this.
If Kreider were to play C, which is not happening, then the same principle could be even better applied with Hags-Kreider-MSL!! but that is not happening, and Hags we believe is strictly a W, so he is not gonna pivot Kreider -MSL.
So if we agree it makes sense (and I'm sure the entire board will challenge me, but in the name of free speech, I politely welcome it, brothers and sisters), Kreider-Miller-MSL is one line.
Projecting Brassard to be qualified at arbitrator level.
Likely w/Zuc he pivots and its Zuc-Brass-Nash.
However, other options: admitting the need to bite the bullet and move Girardi, NOW is the time to do THAT while Leafs still have + would consider Kadri.
Instead of keep magical pair of Bras-Zuc, and trading Stepan, flip that around, trade Bras-Zuc --- a pair Nashville would want --- and do a 2nd line of Kadri - Stepan - Nash
I still think anyone who returns more than they are worth should be moved, so Nash and Stepan should both go, esp. if, having sent Nash to Detroit, a club like the Hawks would make Sharp available at huge discount.
But let's not digress too much.
A sweet Swede 3rd line, of Hagelin-Lindberg-Fast is obvious.
Very happy with Dom Moore back at 4C, and he can step up.
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The other scenario which changes this picture is if INSTEAD of going faster, Rangers decide to go bigger.
If/(hopefully when in August) Hawks prospect Kevin Hayes is signed, depending upon how much he can cut the mustard today, then he might be paired w/Kreider. Miller could still be a fit at pivot there, but there are other contenders.
And Rangers could trade a bunch of guys for someone like Draisatil to create a monster size line, with Kreider-Hayes.
But unless that alternate strategy is employed, speed is the order of the day,
Speed kills, speed rules.
Miller stays with Kreider + Marty.
There may be jerking around, but unless alternate scenarios as I described above, book it.