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New York Rangers Should Consider Trading J.T. Miller

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By @powerplaywithcj

New York Rangers

John Geliebter-USA Today Sports

Since being selected by the New York Rangers in the first round of the 2011 draft, J.T. Miller has had the expectations of being the next American star for the Broadway Blueshirts. Making his NHL debut at age 19 mere months after winning the Gold Medal with Team USA at the World Junior Championships only expedited those expectations. Almost two years later, the Rangers and Miller’s relationship has reached a crossroads that could see the end of his tenure with the Rangers.

Coach Alain Vigneault and Miller have had — to put it lightly — a frosty relationship since Vigneault took the helm of the Rangers. This past offseason they reached a tenuous point when Vigneault remarked, “If Miller works on his game he’ll be a great NHL player, if not he’ll be a great career minor leaguer.” Miller responded by arriving to camp in great shape and turning in a preseason that earned him a roster spot with the Rangers only to be sent back to the AHL’s Hartford Wolfpack after three games. Despite the Rangers’ injury woes and Miller averaging a point per game in the minors, he has yet to be recalled.

It’s clear Miller needs a fresh start in another organization as the relationship between the two parties has soured to a breaking point. I’m not saying Miller can’t become a bona fide NHL player if he stays in New York, but his development would be best suited in a new spot with a clean slate. The Rangers likewise would be able to plug a veteran player into the lineup, not have to worry about “developing” a young player and focus strictly on winning games.

Free of the yolk of having to live up to the status of being a high draft pick, Miller’s game can take off and he can play his usual physical game and allow his offense to come around. Personally I think the Florida Panthers would be a near perfect fit for Miller, as not only would an NHL roster spot be a given, but he’d be among plenty of former teammates. At one point or another Miller has played with Nick Bjugstad, Rocco Grimaldi, Vince Trocheck and Connor Brickley meaning there’s plenty of familiarity for him.

Bringing Miller to South Florida would also mirror the mindset the Panthers took in acquiring Jimmy Hayes, Brandon Pirri and Dylan Olsen from the Chicago Blackhawks. All three had shown flashes in Chicago, but the Hawks’ depth was too great for them to be full-time NHLers, whereas in Florida they have become legitimate NHL players. Hopefully for the sake of the Panthers, Miller can bring the winning mindset he learned in New York to

Whatever happens with Miller, something needs to change as the young man is too talented to be lighting up the minors and playing fourth-line minutes in the NHL. If the Rangers don’t want to be patient with his development they should at least do him the service of sending him to a team that will.

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