Player Discussion What makes J.T Miller such a good player? (2021 Edition)

[Canucks LB]

Figured it's time for a new thread on J.T Miller who has come back with a Vengeance.

I would love to ask you guys, What exactly makes J.T Miller so damn good?

His skating, passing, shooting, and corner work seem to be all above average, but I am having a hard time looking around the league for a similar player in Comparison.

Been watching hockey for a long time, Can't quite find another player that he reminds me off.

What do you all think?

 

[Kuzmenkshow]

He's the heart and soul of this time. Simple as that.

Former 1st round pick who has obviously always had the talent. Seems like he's finally found that drive and the right fit in Vancouver and his work ethic is infectious. He should be wearing an A and I would hope that he never plays another game for a team that isn't the Canucks.

 

[lennor]

High IQ even though he doesn’t do anything elite, he has will for days. Just a pros pro. He figured it out after being in the dog house NYC. So happy for the guy

 

[bandwagonesque]

“Does everything well and nothing at an elite level” describes half the league, I’ve never found it useful. If you do everything as well as Miller does, you’re a star and can drive a line.

 

[clay]

“Does everything well and nothing at an elite level” describes half the league, I’ve never found it useful. If you do everything as well as Miller does, you’re a star and can drive a line.

He does everything well, with his IQ and effort level both very near elite level if not there.

 

[canuckking1]

Good shot
Good vision
Good on the boards
Plays with skilled players

 

[Fatass]

“Does everything well and nothing at an elite level” describes half the league, I’ve never found it useful. If you do everything as well as Miller does, you’re a star and can drive a line.

I wonder if JT’s experiences with AV (tough love so to speak) and being traded twice helped him accept what sacrifices he needed to make to become the player his natural gifts suggested he should? I really wish Jake would live with Miller, and learn those lessons.

 

[Goatlender]

High IQ anticipating where the play is going, battles incredibly hard on the boards and wins the majority of his battles, distributes the puck well and has a high pass-completion ratio, and has an above-average shot. I think his drive, motor, and attitude are his best features for sure.

 

[clay]

I wonder if JT’s experiences with AV (tough love so to speak) and being traded twice helped him accept what sacrifices he needed to make to become the player his natural gifts suggested he should? I really wish Jake would live with Miller, and learn those lessons.

Problem is you can't teach hockey IQ, and Jake has proven time and time again that he just can't think the game at even an average level.

 

[M2Beezy]

JT frickin Miller

 

[nergish]

He's an oldschool hockey player who's good at just about every aspect of the game, and plays with immense confidence in his abilities.
His shootout goal last night was a perfect example - he knew exactly what he was going to do before he started.

He's at the point in his career where he's now transitioned from a young player to a mature leader, and he seems to really enjoy taking the younger players under his wing.

 

[Paradise Circus]

I'm trying to think of an American player he is similar to...maybe a poor man's Matthews in skills with more drive?

 

[Cogburn]

The law of averages. We had to have some positive come from a trade to justify all the crap we've dealt with as Canucks fans.

Seriously though? His energy and spirit. Every "behind the scenes" video I see of the guy, he's energizing his teammates. He's not the fastest, he's not the best puck handler or shooter, he's not the most physical, and, hot take alert, I don't think his hockey IQ is the best on the team either.

But he puts it all together as more then the sum of its part.

 

[F A N]

Miller also hasn't spent any time playing 3rd line C for the Canucks (a position he was frequently put in by his former teams). I think his offensive production has always been skewed a bit because he inevitably would spend time playing on the 3rd line as a C rather than spending the entire season on the top 2 lines as a winger. That and he's in his prime and knows what type of player he is now.

 

[Tables of Stats]

I feel like Miller does an excellent job of keeping the play in front of him. He knows what he wants to do before he does it and executes well enough that he can keep it automatic for a large part of his shifts. Due to this quality he's easy to play with and can allow a more creative player like Pettersson to do his thing without worrying about what at least one of his linemates is doing on the ice.

 

[LordBacon]

Perseverance, that’s what’s best about JT killer.

 

[ghostingtaro]

What makes him good because Jimothy Timothy

 

[TraderJim]

Awareness. Guy knows to zig when everyone is in a rut zagging.

 

[Nucky]

He’s just well rounded with no real weakness to his game. Good size/strength, hockey sense, playmaking/vision, shooting/finishing, speed and the dude can play all 3 forward positions.

He’s the exact type of winger we needed for Kesler back during the glory days.

 

[Bojack Horvatman]

Very good although not quite elite in every area of the game. It's his drive to win that separates him though. You can tell he took being traded personally, and his been on a mission since. He should absolutely have an A, and maybe a C.

 

[doobie604]

Peter Forsberg

 

[Hyack57]

He’s decisive.

 

[M2Beezy]

Hes got FIVE points in only THREE games, on pace for 88pts in 53 games

Art f***ing Ross style a season

 

[vanuck]

I would say his IQ and his motor are his biggest strengths. Guy knows where to be on the ice at all times, which is probably the biggest reason why Virtanen can only dream of becoming a J.T Miller one day despite being taken under his wing. Yet he has a 'never quit' attitude and works extremely hard to win puck battles.

Other secondary assets are obviously size which he takes advantage of along the boards and vision which lets him make plays. I see him as a playmaker primarily, which is why he fits well with any skilled player.

He's a good enough skater to get around the ice. But for some reason he struggles when he overhandles the puck so you don't want him doing that too much.

 

[docbenton]

Speed hasn't been mentioned enough. Powerful on top of that. It means he can go get the puck, something Pettersson and Boeser still struggle with. Big piece of possession and being a play driver.