The line of Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller near the end of 2024-25 showed some promise for the New York Rangers. Despite both being centers in the league, Zibanejad would show signs of life again after going through slumps during the year. It looks as if Mike Sullivan will take advantage of this chemistry once again soon.![Mika Zibanejad and JT Miller]()
The New York Rangers acquired J.T. Miller from the Vancouver Canucks. The trade was a real coup for Chris Drury, who sent Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a 1st-round pick in return for the forward.
Miller, in familiar territory, began his career in the NHL with New York and took it upon himself to make an impact his first night back.
He'd find fast chemistry with Mika Zibanejad, as he'd be shifted to the wing, while Miller would take center position on the 1st line.
For Mike Sullivan, he'll have the choice of reuniting the two centers or breaking them off and putting Zibanejad back down the middle.
Dan Rosen of NHL.com expands on this thought:
«As part of that conversation one of the things he expressed to me is even though he lined up on the wing on the face-offs, he felt they were interchangeable in the sense that they could read off each other,» Sullivan said via Dan Rosen of NHL.com. «They both have a comfort level playing down low in the defensive zone. They both have a comfort level in the face-off circle with one being a righty and one being a lefty. He expressed that to me. I would envision us exploring that combination to see if they can potentially build on the chemistry that they've already built.
Sullivan is open to keeping the line together, but he's expressed the fact that they're also some of the best centers in the league.
«Those are three pretty high-quality centermen. I think it's going to play itself out, but certainly the conversations I've had with Mika to this point I would envision us exploring keeping Mika with J.T.»
The New York Rangers will need the newly formed team that Chris Drury has built to gel well enough, allowing JT Miller and Mika Zibanejad to grow together.
In doing so, this line could turn into a force to be reckoned with on the ice, as the Rangers forward, Zibanejad, finds himself back into the 80-90 point discussion again.
First, Sullivan will have to evaluate the team through training camp and find the perfect player for their left flank.
