Speculation: Roster Building Thread XXXVI - It’s Miller Time…K-A

[Guyute]

When considering upgrading the roster, some Rangers fans discount JT Miller's production and say he is no different than the player he was on the Rangers. But, he has scored more points than everyone in the NHL except 15 guys over the last 3 years. Of those 15 guys, 2 are already on the Rangers and most are on a hall of fame trajectory. So is he the only guy in that group who isn't a difference maker? Are there any other PPG centers who wouldn't be worth a prospect who is completely blocked from playing for the Rangers and a late first round pick for $2.6M/year for 2 years?

A significant amount of his points are on the power-play over the last 3 years. Do you really think JT Miller will be playing as much on the PP on the Rangers? No way.

 

[effen]

If Blais was a former 17th overall and Kupari was a former 6th rounder the trade would be viewed a lot differently. Mostly people would be asking why Kupari and why not Turcotte, Vilardi, or another shiny former 1st round pick.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

A significant amount of his points are on the power-play over the last 3 years. Do you really think JT Miller will be playing as much on the PP on the Rangers? No way.

He may if he takes Strome's spot.

It's not the same role that he has in Vancouver though.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

When considering upgrading the roster, some Rangers fans discount JT Miller's production and say he is no different than the player he was on the Rangers. But, he has scored more points than everyone in the NHL except 15 guys over the last 3 years. Of those 15 guys, 2 are already on the Rangers and most are on a hall of fame trajectory. So is he the only guy in that group who isn't a difference maker? Are there any other PPG centers who wouldn't be worth a prospect who is completely blocked from playing for the Rangers and a late first round pick for $2.6M/year for 2 years?

I don't think anyone is doubting his production. Without his production there's no discussion about him.

I think there is a concern that this would be the third org to trade him. And with him going from big fish in a little pond to a situation where he wouldn't be that.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Kakko & Laf only suck because they’re on a good team and don’t get minutes, if they were on a team like Vancouver they’d light it up

but JT Miller will certainly produce exactly the same on the Rangers as he did on Vancouver

 

[bhamill]

He may if he takes Strome's spot.

It's not the same role that he has in Vancouver though.

Especially if we have to let Strome walk as part of the cost for JT.

 

[jay from jersey]

If Blais was a former 17th overall and Kupari was a former 6th rounder the trade would be viewed a lot differently. Mostly people would be asking why Kupari and why not Turcotte, Vilardi, or another shiny former 1st round pick.

Blais was brought in to fill the void left by Fast when Gorton foolishly didn’t offer him a 3rd year.
Blais is bigger, younger, more physical and cheaper.
There’s no question Blais def has a bigger affect/more immediate impact on the line up then Kupari would right now ( if healthy).
It also can be argued that he has the bigger impact in the next 3-5 seasons as well.
The rangers absolutely needed to immediately address the lack of physicality from last year, as well as the fast void.
Blais fills both those roles.
This summer, the need for a 2C ( long term) absolutely needs to be addressed.
Strome most likely leaving will have to be replaced.
I expect Drury to get another guy in the Blais 25-26 more ready now age range.
Then need a center to step in and be effective with the Kreids/Zibby/panarin/trouba group, as well has still being effective with the Fox/shesty/LaF/kakko/Schneider group.
That’s exactly the timeline/age Blais fits into

 

[bhamill]

JT Miller 46 points in 53 games last year, 46 in 46 this year. 92 points in 98 games over two years.
R Strome 49 points in 56 games last year, 34 in 43 this year. 83 points in 99 games over two years.

So a 1st rounder, Krav, Lundquist, and, after this years playoffs, Strome for Miller? That just seems INSANE.
Plus Strome is supposedly a great locker room presence, and Miller will either walk after 22-23 OR likely has a higher cap hit than Strome. That just seems like a batshit move to me.

 

[EdJovanovski]

JT Miller 46 points in 53 games last year, 46 in 46 this year. 92 points in 98 games over two years.
R Strome 49 points in 56 games last year, 34 in 43 this year. 83 points in 99 games over two years.

So a 1st rounder, Krav, Lundquist, and, after this years playoffs, Strome for Miller? That just seems INSANE.
Plus Strome is supposedly a great locker room presence, and Miller will either walk after 22-23 OR likely has a higher cap hit than Strome. That just seems like a batshit move to me.

And these people are basing it strictly on the stats and haven’t watched Miller lol, the guy is still one of the dumbest players in the league. Dumped the puck in on a delayed PP on 3v3 OT

 

[Lgrsean]

A significant amount of his points are on the power-play over the last 3 years. Do you really think JT Miller will be playing as much on the PP on the Rangers? No way.

He'd be our only LH shot on PP1, why wouldn't he play there?

 

[IDvsEGO]

He'd be our only LH shot on PP1, why wouldn't he play there?

Because we have other talented left shots who probably need the time if a spot opens up on that pp.

 

[effen]

Because we have other talented left shots who probably need the time if a spot opens up on that pp.

Lol what

 

[jay from jersey]

JT Miller 46 points in 53 games last year, 46 in 46 this year. 92 points in 98 games over two years.
R Strome 49 points in 56 games last year, 34 in 43 this year. 83 points in 99 games over two years.

So a 1st rounder, Krav, Lundquist, and, after this years playoffs, Strome for Miller? That just seems INSANE.
Plus Strome is supposedly a great locker room presence, and Miller will either walk after 22-23 OR likely has a higher cap hit than Strome. That just seems like a batshit move to me.

bingo bango.
Go get Copp+ Connor brown/ Lehkonen/Jarnkrok
The results won’t be much different, but the cost will be.
All they are looking for is better 5v5 play and penalty killing really.
Copp plus any one of those 3 guys will do the job

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Copp would be a smarter add than Miller.

But this organization has never gone after players like that.

 

[FoxysExpensiveNYDigs]

Now you're just using bad faith BS to suit your bias. His role has changed because he's become top line player & a top 20 scorer over the past 3 years. I understand some not wanting to give up prime assets for him, but you nobody who'd being honest can deny he would make us a better team.

How many guys in the league can pull this off.

Against that trash D? A lot of guys.

 

[Lgrsean]

Kakko & Laf only suck because they’re on a good team and don’t get minutes, if they were on a team like Vancouver they’d light it up

but JT Miller will certainly produce exactly the same on the Rangers as he did on Vancouver

Put Miller on a line with Bread and Goodrow and put Laf and Kakko on Strome's line. Everyone's production goes up.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Copp would be a smarter add than Miller.

But this organization has never gone after players like that.

Find a way to add both and I will go full homer on this team's prospects.

 

[Lgrsean]

Because we have other talented left shots who probably need the time if a spot opens up on that pp.

Who?

 

[Alluckks]

I know that Edge has said that NYR specifically liked Blais. I do NOT remember him saying the offer from LAK was on the table concurrently with NYR taking Blais and a 2nd. OR that that was the totality of the LAK deal. I mean does that REALLY sound like something ANYONE would do? Take Blais and a second while Kupari and 8OA is sitting right next to it? Again, if that's the case he should have been committed to a hospital, I just doubt that that is the case because it sounds like fantasy. Sometimes common sense has to factor in, even on hockey fan message boards.

It was never 8 OA, it was a conditional 2023 1st

And even then, it is not a sure thing that that offer was on the table in the fashion that if the Rangers said yes it was a done deal, it was being discussed and far along. We also don't know the timeline, or if there was more being asked for from the Rangers than just Buch.

 

[Lgrsean]

JT Miller 46 points in 53 games last year, 46 in 46 this year. 92 points in 98 games over two years.
R Strome 49 points in 56 games last year, 34 in 43 this year. 83 points in 99 games over two years.

So a 1st rounder, Krav, Lundquist, and, after this years playoffs, Strome for Miller? That just seems INSANE.
Plus Strome is supposedly a great locker room presence, and Miller will either walk after 22-23 OR likely has a higher cap hit than Strome. That just seems like a batshit move to me.

JT Miller wouldn't be the reason the Rangers can't afford Strome. If they can't have a forward at $2.6M and sign Strome, they just can't sign Strome.

 

[nyr2k2]

Copp would be a smarter add than Miller.

But this organization has never gone after players like that.

It does feel like we always pursue the "obvious names" even if it's really not so obvious that they're a fit.

When I think of significant trades we've made in recent memory that seemed to come out of nowhere or involved guys I didn't realize were being shopped, obviously the Zibanejad trade is the primary one. When we swapped Del Zotto for Klein, that was surprising and I thought a smart trade. Rozsival for Wolski seemed sort of out of the blue. Most of the other big deals felt like they were rumored for so long that they became preordained.

 

[Lgrsean]

Find a way to add both and I will go full homer on this team's prospects.

Trade for Miller @ 50% and sign Copp as a UFA.

 

[Alluckks]

He may if he takes Strome's spot.

It's not the same role that he has in Vancouver though.

I'm fairly certain they would just have PP2 flow through him, and it would give us a needed boost to PP2's prowess

Zib, Kreider, Panarin, Strome, Fox

Miller, Laf, Kakko, ___, Trouba/Miller

Ideally I'd like PP2 up top spots to be Jones and Trouba/Miller; plant Laf around the front of the net (like it or not a good amount of his goals have come from having a knack to be in the right spot at the right time)

 

[Alluckks]

Copp would be a smarter add than Miller.

But this organization has never gone after players like that.

I don't want to pay the 1 year price for Copp

Winnipeg will want 1st+

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

It does feel like we always pursue the "obvious names" even if it's really not so obvious that they're a fit.

When I think of significant trades we've made in recent memory that seemed to come out of nowhere or involved guys I didn't realize were being shopped, obviously the Zibanejad trade is the primary one. When we swapped Del Zotto for Klein, that was surprising and I thought a smart trade. Rozsival for Wolski seemed sort of out of the blue. Most of the other big deals felt like they were rumored for so long that they became preordained.

DZ for Klein is a good example. Maybe the only time they've done it other than when they made the Gaborik trade, but even that one had 2 former 1st round picks coming back.