New York Rangers Mika Zibanejad breaks his silence on being reunited with J.T. Miller
It's been a few days since the New York Rangers made their blockbuster trade with the Vancouver Canucks which brought home JT Miller back into the fold and Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad spoke out for the first time since the trade.
Mika Zibanejad says he likes how J.T. Miller communicates on the Rangers' bench and on the ice
Zibanejad explained that Miller brings a lot of intensity to the bench and is a good communicator between his linemates in terms of what he is looking for and how he has great ideas.
Miller made his impact felt immediate with scoring two goals
«He plays with a lot of intensity. I like the way he talks a lot on the bench. He talks a lot on the ice. He has a lot of ideas and it's good because the communication makes it a lot easier, especially early on when we haven't played together for a long time." Mika Zibanejad
Other players including Vincent Trocheck spoke highly of the trade and that Miller and himself are best friends and lived very close to one another back in their early days in Pittsburgh as kids.
«He's my best friend in the world,» Trocheck said, of getting word on Friday night that Miller had been traded from the Vancouver Canucks to his Rangers. «I think this had been a pipe dream for -- 10 years in the making, I feel like. Obviously came in the League around the same time. Grew up since we were nine years old together, live about 500 yards from each other back in Pittsburgh. Our kids are really close.» - Vincent Trocheck
Many players speaking out about Miller's return
The last few weeks have been quite the saga between both teams as trade rumors were swirling at a rapid pace that Miller was heading back to the Rangers. Since the trade, Miller spoke about what he felt knowing that he was heading back to the Big Apple.
«It's kind of like a numb feeling,» Miller said. «Very excited, very happy. It was a
big game today, for the team. I'm starting to realize that when I got here. A hard-fought game. But definitely been a long 24 hours.»- JT Miller
big game today, for the team. I'm starting to realize that when I got here. A hard-fought game. But definitely been a long 24 hours.»- JT Miller
Rangers general manager Chris Drury spoke about the deal and that he had spent quite a bit of time trying to craft something that would work, and that Miller will be a big piece of their core.
«I think he's going to have a terrific impact, not only on the ice, but in our room,» Drury said. «Not only for the remainder of this year, but moving forward as a big piece of our core. He's a terrific 200-foot player, plays both sides of the puck, both special teams, physical element and a high-level of compete that we're excited to bring to our group.»
That remains to be seen on how the Rangers will handle the upcoming March trade deadline now that they have made this major move but if the team feels they're closed too re capturing a wild card spot, it's likely they will be busy trying to buy and sell and put themselves in a better position down the stretch.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
MUST READ
TRENDING NOW
