From what I read before the trade JT Miller was a lazy player. He wasn't popular with the NY fan base even though he's clearly better than the Russian.
His signing with T B is a solid deal. He seems a better fit in Florida than NY kinda like the Justin Schultz situation.
The better team can hide a players flaws and a change of scenario can be helpful.
The irony to this is VLAD was so much better with the Lightning than the Rangers.
AND fans are OK with a $4 million per for a guy who scored two goals since the trade
I have to disagree with the overall situation regarding being a better fit. Anyone who slots in with Stamkos would logically be in a better situation to put up points.
Are we really using 19 games as the measuring stick for Namestnikov's success in NY?
He came from a team where he played with one of the most prolific scorers in the league to the disarray that was the NYR under AV coaching a team decimated by injuries.
I see the value in Names for several reasons, he is a decent player first and foremost and he can be a center if NYR need him to be. He can help the younger Russian players on the team as well. They signed him to a good deal in both term and salary for are building team and can move him at the deadline as well.
I am a big JT Miller fan but it was obvious he either quit on the coach or regressed. I like the fact the Rangers now don't need to have to resign both he and McD. This rebuild has no room for new long term, high dollar contracts to veterans.
I think Names projects to be much better than a guy who scored 4pts for a bad Ranger team in his 19 games.