Another Ex-NHLer Calls Out Former Vancouver Canucks Star J.T. Miller's Latest Showings
Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Another ex-National Hockey League forward has called out former Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller for his recent performances with the New York Rangers.
It's been nearly 11 months since the Vancouver Canucks traded J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers, the team that drafted him 15th overall all the way back in 2011.
Shortly before the 2025-26 season began, the Rangers decided to name J.T. Miller their 29th captain in franchise history and so far, his tenure wearing the 'C' on his sweater isn't going well for the ex-Canuck or the club.
Another former NHLer calls out J.T. Miller for recent effort, performances with New York Rangers
The Rangers currently sit 15th in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs and have just one win in nine games at Madison Square Garden, which has understandably frustrated J.T. Miller and his teammates.
"It starts with myself and the leadership group. This is where we need to dig deep and carry the load a little and raise our own expectations for ourselves; not just, 'We like what we're doing and we're getting looks.' It's not really cute anymore. It's been 14 games, I think, and we're not executing by capitalizing on our chances." Miller said according to Vince Z. Mercogliano earlier this month.
During a recent game against the Vegas Golden Knights, cameras caught J.T. Miller with a quite frankly lazy effort in his own zone, failing to pick up the open man or stay with his guy, leading to a goal against.
Miller's lack of effort on the play caused a stir on social media, with former New York Rangers forward Sean Avery giving his thoughts on the matter in a video posted on Instagram.
"Alright watch this sh*t show. Quick up, Igor Shesterkin to J.T. Miller, follow the pointer stick. J.T., dump the puck in. Nope. Mika turnover. Kiss of death, turnovers at the offensive blue line. Now we're gonna watch J.T., bottom of the screen, 8 white, the captain of the New York Rangers, come in, alright he's the low guy, responsible. Okay and then stick check, over skate, in no man's land and then look at this. Look at the straight legged f*ck right there. Five hole goal." Avery said.
Sean Avery isn't the only ex-NHLer to call out J.T. Miller as Kurtis Gabriel, who appeared in 51 games with the Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks, gave his opinion on play from last week's game.
"Hey J.T. Miller. What's that saying where people back up their sh*t? Maybe it's they walk the talk or in this case, it's more applicable that they skate the talk. This is straight bullsh*t. What is going on here from the captain of the New York Rangers? Mark Messier is trying to pull out the hair he doesn't have right now. Give the C to Sam Carrick he's playing so damn hard and playing the right way. This is a joke. From the guy that's labeled too competitive for anybody's good. All the bad body language, the terrible back checks, the terrible defending in Vancouver, you brought it right to New York baby, The Big Apple." Gabriel said.
He added, "What is this? Get your boots out of the mud. I don't care you're a minute and six seconds into a shift. It's not even about the play, you couldn't have really done anything on it. This is you just giving up for a team that can't score and you have 12 points in 22 games and in the media you're saying 'I gotta pick up my game, I gotta focus on the right things and that'll get my game going.' Brother, you ever heard of cognitive dissonance? Wakey wakey."
He added, "What is this? Get your boots out of the mud. I don't care you're a minute and six seconds into a shift. It's not even about the play, you couldn't have really done anything on it. This is you just giving up for a team that can't score and you have 12 points in 22 games and in the media you're saying 'I gotta pick up my game, I gotta focus on the right things and that'll get my game going.' Brother, you ever heard of cognitive dissonance? Wakey wakey."
While he might be on the sidelines right now with an upper-body injury, once he returns to game action, J.T. Miller needs to figure out a way to contribute more to his team or else they're going to fall further and further out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 23 | 1818 ANSWERS Another Ex-NHLer Calls Out Former Vancouver Canucks Star J.T. Miller's Latest Showings Do you think J.T. Miller will remain with the New York Rangers for the remainder of his contract? | ||
| Yes | 698 | 38.4 % |
| No | 1120 | 61.6 % |
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