If you had to pick one forward on the Rangers that has the best shot attempt percentage at even strength 5-v-5, who would you pick?
Rick Nash? Sure, he and his linemates produce a lot of shots when he is on the ice, but they also surrender a lot.
Derek Stepan? A good guess, but when he's on the ice, the opponents generally take more shot attempts than he and his linemates.
How about J.T. Miller?
Yup, you guessed right. Miller is the only Rangers forward that has more shot attempts at even strength 5-v-5 when he is on the ice (405) than he has against (397).
That's just one of many things Miller does really, really well for the New York Rangers. The 22-year-old in the midst of his fourth season, which is well on pace to be his first full season in the NHL. Long gone are the days were Miller would be a healthy scratch. Now, he occasionally finds himself on the top line. Sometimes it's the third. Sometimes it's the second. Actually, you should never be too surprised about where Miller falls in the lineup, or who he lines up with. But no matter where he is, he will be effective.
That's what makes Miller an intriguing player. He has this unique ability to adapt to seemingly every linemate in seemingly every game situation. Can he be a consistent top line player? Of course he can. But sometimes his versatility can be his own demise. His ability to adapt can make him a better fit on the third line on some nights.
Most recently, Miller has posted up on the Rangers' top line, flanking Derick Brassard and opposite of Mats Zuccarello. And while most players would struggle to jump up to a line and find chemistry right away with two talented players, Miller doesn't, because he's comfortable with virtually anyone, because he will continue to play his version of hockey.
"I don't want to change the way I'm playing with two highly skilled guys," Miller said earlier this week on the move with Brassard and Zuccarello. "I got to keep playing physical, keep winning my battles and play simple, but at the same time try and make a play when it's there. I just don't want to get away from just playing hard."
If Miller doesn't actually change the way he plays with each line mate (and, by simply watching him, it quickly becomes pretty obvious the exact type of player he truly is each and every night), it works with just about everyone he plays with. In fact, there is physical evidence that forwards who play with Miller improve their overall play. Take a look at the following tables of the top five forwards that have played with Miller the most. You will find that every forward automatically generates more shot attempts with Miller, and how every player produces more goals when they play with Miller.
Forwards' Shot Attempt Percentages With and Without Miller
| Player | TOI Together | Shot Attempt Percentage With Miller | Shot Attempt Percentage Without Miller |
| Oscar Lindberg | 185:53 | 49.7% | 46.5% |
| Kevin Hayes | 121:06 | 50.3% | 46.9% |
| Chris Kreider | 120:14 | 51.2% | 48.8% |
| Derek Stepan | 96:11 | 50.0% | 49.0% |
| Derick Brassard | 90:57 | 53.6% | 47.9% |
Forwards' Goals For Per 60 Minutes of Play With and Without Miller
| Player | TOI | Goals For Per 60 With Miller | Goals For Per 60 Without Miller |
| Oscar Lindberg | 185:53 | 2.58 | 2.29 |
| Kevin Hayes | 121:06 | 2.48 | 3.07 |
| Chris Kreider | 120:14 | 3.49 | 2.59 |
| Derek Stepan | 96:11 | 3.12 | 2.33 |
| Derick Brassard | 90:57 | 3.30 | 3.27 |
Every player improves with the Miller (with the exception of Kevin Hayes, who produces more shot attempts with Miller, but scores more goals without him), and Miller has been playing the exact same way ever since he was allowed to hit people.
"I've always been physical since my first year of checking when I was little," Miller said. "I think it's (always) been apart of my game."
That physicality is putting points on the board as well. So far this season, Miller has eight goals and 12 assists, and he's well on his way to pass his career high of 23 points in a season. And, while it doesn't put points on the board, Miller is among the league's better hitters. According to Sporting Charts, Miller's 88 hits ranks him 54th in the league in hitting, and that includes all players.
Versatility is critical in today's NHL, and Miller embodies it. His value to the Rangers is practically immeasurable.
But Miller will soon find out just how much the Rangers monetarially value him. This past offseason, Miller accepted his qualifying offer, which helped out he and Rangers' general manager Jeff Gorton immensely. Gorton was strapped for cap space this season, and signing Miller to a $874,000 cap hit helped out his budget. But it also protected Miller's restricted free agent status, and that also protected his 2016 arbitration rights this upcoming summer.
Miller likely won't cash in on a mega-deal through arbitration, but his versatility and production prove that he is one day capable of taking on a large role for the New York Rangers.
But that's for future Gorton to worry about.
Right now, the Rangers can just enjoy their investment and watch him blossum into a true all-around star. And they can know that no matter who Miller lines up with, that player is bound to have a pretty good game.
Tommy Chalk writes about the NHL and NFL for FOX Sports. You can find him on Twitter @Tommy_Chalk
Statistics provided by War on Ice. Table information provided by Hockey Analysis.
