Here’s my estimate of the situation…. And this coming from a fan that didn’t want miller for a 2nd stint in NYR….
I don’t absolutely hate the deal….. NYR is just in a down year.. I can list all the reasons why in depth, but long and the short of it is key players underperforming and leadership that has stagnated/not delivered from the core group of vets…..
Goodrow/trouba Situations since offseason have been feastering/infecting the room and core… that’s why you don’t let things like that go on for that long….. it snowballs into other things (kakko situation and trade/Kreider rumors/ Lindgren being a UFA etc etc) there’s much much more but that has to do for now.
The team has been due for a real down/off year, but the erosion of effort, identity, and hard work from just 1 season ago has been staggering…
There sorely needs to be a changing of the guard in regards to leadership and the (older core) guys…..
Now as far as the trade goes, NYR obviously got the best most talented piece but considering his age, contract, and NMC I think VAN got about what I expected.
The best news for them is that they avoided adding a major $$ contract with term in a return….ex Zibby.
Now they can allocate more funds anywhere with the cap also going up….
Mancinni is a big body and a good young D man… he has a solid wrist shot, skates really well, and has pretty good vision…
He did well in his call up to fill in for injury earlier this year…. Most NYR fans along with myself were pleased with his development and play since having a solid camp…. He’s def going to be an NHL D man…. Where he tops out is still a question…. He is still young and raw, but the size/talent/skating is there. Anyone can see it… he needs to play a lot more minutes and keep devolving… imo, he’ll at least be a solid 3rd pair guy, but has the tools to be a real solid unremarkable 3-4/middle pair solid defender in the mold of a Brady Skjei or Josh Manson type of guy…
He’s no punk, but not an overly physical guy either. Real good skater for being a big kid.
Chytil has talent no doubt… but if you count on him to be healthy for an entire season or playoff run, he’s going to disappoint…..
He’ll rip of a 10-15 game clip where you think this kid is really freaking good. Cause his is. Good shot, big body, good skater, solid defensive play,etc….
Then a nothing hit will put him on IR for 20-30 games and he comes back slow and a bit more cautious…. He works himself back to being solid and producing again, then rinse/repeat goes on IR for another 15-20 games.. it’s a shame. Real talented nice kid, but he’s 1 more bad concussion away from retirement.
1st top/13 Protected, self explanatory.
Miller is a damn good hockey player and developed into 1 of the better 2-way centers in the NHL currently. He’s also turned into a respected leader in the locker room.
I know he’s certainly developed since being dealt, and having a wife and kids along with his age makes me less concerned about him over indulging in NY nightlife and amenities. If NYR can get 2-3 solid more years from miller being a 85-100pt C, this is a home run for them….
That type of player costs a ton in FA or in trade, and even then the target has some sort of issue usually. Whether it be injury related, talent related, or off ice whatever.
Getting a 2-way C that plays abrasive hockey and delivers in postseason for what NYR gave up is a no brainer tbh… even if they are sellers come this years TDL… and they should be…..
as far as contracts go, I’m more comfortable with millers to Zibbys.
JT can still be a force at 34-35 years old, but we shall wait and see….
I’m coming more around to the deal since miller is proven, a more mature stable family man, and a leader….
A huge reason is he is BFF with trochek since they were 9 years old….
Tro is an absolute great player on and off the ice… one of the best NYR UFA signings in recent memory….
He frankly should have a letter on his jersey… guy gives 100% effort all the time…. Having miller come back and having Tro here makes me feel a lot better…
Hopefully 1 feeds off the other and creates that needed culture change….
NYR would love to move Zibby this year or offseason, but I doubt it happens. NMC with his worst stat year along with contract amount/length…. It very unlikely…. At least for the next year or 2, maybe then but who knows….
Miller allows Zibby to slide down the lineup and not go against teams #1 lines. Hopefully lets him get going more….
Miller-Tro-Zibby-carrack is a pretty solid vet 4…..
Miller also plays with edge…. In many ways I see a lot of comps between young miller/ laffy’s games and similar ages.
that should be really advantageous for Laf to soak up the practices/tricks or trade/ experience etc miller can show Laf and help him keep developing.
Imo, you’ll see the true impact of this trade (NYR wise) at the start of next season when some more current guys are traded/gone and miller becomes a key part in the locker room leadership culture change.