Two Stories, Two Players and ?
Looking around I found there is no active JT Miller thread.
This post is
not just about Miller but about how media is not sharing public information.
I totally understand the massive effort to bury the Miller/Pettersson stuff, it is mostly localized media.
But I found this relatable to events similar to here. It is in relationship to Laine.
There is no foundation to say the two incidents are the same, just similar but just how they get served up.
Laine entered NHLPA player assistance program, Miller DID NOT. But...
Laine's as a Columbus player statement;
"Dear fans and supporters,
I wanted to take a moment to address my need to step away from the game for a while. After careful consideration and discussions with my support network and the team, I have recognized the importance of prioritizing my mental health and well-being. Hockey has been my passion and my life, but I have come to realize that in order to perform at my best, I need to take this time to focus on myself.
I am grateful for the understanding and support of my team, the league, and our fans during this time. I look forward to returning to the ice with a clear mind and renewed energy. Thank you for respecting my privacy during this time and for your continued support.
With love,
Patty"
The Canucks statement, now this hasn't been addressed by Miller in any way;
By Canucks Communications @Canucks Vancouver Canucks
November 19, 2024
Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that Forward J.T. Miller will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from the team for personal reasons.
“Right now, our sole focus is making sure that J.T. knows the entire organization is here to support him,” said Allvin. “Out of respect to J.T., we will have no further comment at this time.”
Two different statements but similar messages especially when Dhali speculated Miller's leave was for the same reason as Laine's. The connection was made by mainstream media not social media. Columbus and most of the NHL went silent for the most part.
But Laine later stated and reported on Sportsnet;
“Obviously, things happened, and that was kind of it for me," Laine said to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline earlier Monday. “I feel like we were just doing the same thing year after year. I was tired of losing and just giving up when it’s December to start focusing on next year. I’m not going to do that. That’s frustrating as a player when you’re trying to win and some people are, you know, not like that.
“They’re a little too satisfied and too comfortable where they’re at. It wasn’t really a fit for me anymore. But here (in Montreal), it doesn’t matter if we’re winning or losing, we’re always trying our best. That’s what I felt about it (in Columbus).”
Quite different from a sanitized first statement while still with the CBJ's, while with that team was he going to make this sentiment public?
Laine, like a lots of passionate players wants to win and that passion may be as strong with Miller. This year, after last year's big step forward, is a big step back. Last year the entire group was making the playoffs easily, they were often mentioned as now being true contenders.
This year the players will know it is going to be a struggle, they play the game and know how hard they have to be this season, they cannot let their foot off the throttle, the pressure is much higher to no make a single costly mistake.
For Laine too long was 4 years. Miller has endured 5 of 6 years and just when it looked like a turn around, they lost players, the cap situation is about to become much more a problem with buyouts and he is 32 yrs old in a few months, his time is very limited for another realistic chance at a cup.
The other thing is that Miller is well known for his desire to win and his intensity,
This statement by Laine might be a small window looking into a player's physique. What is for the fans and the team paying him what is needed to be said. Although even then it was "rumored" that the it wasn't there anymore.
Due to all the shit happening now is something like this possible? That behind the curtain there is a player so disheartened that he won't even agree with the team's statement? Instead just stays silent about whatever.
This is this market, this is the fan's team, I am sure most want to see a Stanley Cup in their lifetimes, why should if be different for player's? The most "inside" people in the game.
Hey this forum is for entertainment, something to read to pass time and shill out opinions.
This thread is not saying they are the same but it happens so rarely that just maybe it can be comparable. All public via mainstream media with quotes so in the public domain and not made up.
Whatever it isn't going away, other media, eastern media are hot on these things because they are rare and usually precipitate changes. Other team's media, eastern and US run stories.
I think in the past information like this would been more noted, people like Davidson, McRae, Gallagher, Botchford and somewhat at time Drance would make these, obvious to me, connections and wrote a story. There are no media challenges TO the team anymore.
IMac has to be careful, he is a Rogers employee so the story of how the bare win over the second worst team on a back to back is sensationalized as more than it was. The Nux were lucky that coaches challenge failed, if successful that is a to goal difference in SJ favor. I mention this because of the reality of the competition.