jt miller

The next two weeks may tell us a lot more about JT Miller’s future. With Marty St Louis out injured for up to eight games the opportunity for JT Miller to really show his worth to Alain Vigneault has never been greater. Whether Miller gets moved up to the second line or Kevin Hayes goes from third line center to second line wing, it appears more ice time and responsibility will fall on the two young forwards.

While Kevin Hayes has recently been flavour of the month (to an extent deservedly so) and has begun to prove his ability at the NHL level, Miller is still very much in the prove-it stage of his development. That said, even Miller has started to earn praise from Vigneault recently and now is the time Miller can really establish himself as a Ranger moving forward.

Right now, the Rangers are struggling to score and it’s largely thanks to their defensive play but particularly their goaltending that they’re still winning in bunches. With a stretch of difficult games ahead (Chicago, Anaheim and a hot Ottawa amongst others), Miller’s ability to come through offensively wouldn’t go unnoticed. The third line (so Hagelin – Hayes – Miller) has been one of the Rangers more reliable units in recent weeks but it’s expected the unit will be broken up with St Louis unavailable.

Miller may have just 15 points in 44 games but has forechecked well, worked the boards effectively and helped the third line play consistently at both ends of the ice. He has produced offensively at the AHL level but what is still unclear about Miller is what kind of upside he has offensively at the NHL level. He has been in and out of the line-up and his chances to produce offensively have been limited. Can he reach greater heights offensively? The next few weeks could tell us a lot more about Miller as Alain Vigneault is going to have no choice but to lean more on his depth with St Louis out.

Miller has just 25 points in 100 NHL games although is it fair to look at the crude, basic numbers when considering how he has been deployed? He has been used almost exclusively in a depth role and his ice time hasn’t been significant (19th on the roster in average ice time per game). On the flip side, in 83 AHL games Miller had an impressive 65 points and was clearly a go-to offensive guy. Miller plays a physical game, can skate well and should fit well in Vigneault’s system if he can develop greater game to game consistency and develop a level of trust with Vigneault.

With St Louis out, the opportunity for the Rangers to develop one of their younger players with greater ice time and more offensive zone starts is an exciting one. Whether it’s Miller or Hayes, the Rangers have a chance to fast track a talented youngster and working with Kreider or Stepan should benefit both young forwards. While Hayes’ development curve has been clearer this season, Miller’s development over the next few weeks is also critical; not just in defining how the Rangers cope with yet another injury in the short term but for the long term.

Miller’s ability to play an offensive role will impact the team’s roster moves over the summer. With next season’s cap ceiling uncertain – but certainly not expected to be high – the importance of cost controlled, younger players who can contribute in the short term will be crucial to the Rangers competitiveness. Miller’s first real opportunity could be about to begin. The Rangers need players to set up offensively and there’d be no better time for Miller to do so than now.

 

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