Here are the downsides of the J.T. Miller trade for the Rangers.
Not everyone agrees with The Maven; that the Rangers won the J.T. Miller deal.
Some folks consider it so much a disaster that it eventually will cost Chris Drury his job. (It might.)
One such dissenter is among my most trusted hockey friends and a scout who sees things clearly and sees them whole.
When Jess Rubenstein tells me that the acquisition of Miller is a New York bummer, I at least listen. You should too.
"Give me a broken Filip Chytil over locker room problem J.T. Miller any day," says Rubenstein. "Drury forgot how badly Miller was in the locker room and there was nobody around to straighten him out."
Rubenstein also points out the following factors: Miller is in Year Two of a seven-year contract. He has a no movement clause until the seventh year when Miller will be 37 years old.
Between Panarin, Zibanejad and Miller's contracts, the Rangers will have $28,142,857 of their cap space tied up.
Also, the Blueshirts do not have a first round or second round selection for 2025 after this trade.
According to Rubenstein, the Rangers GM further erred in other parts of the exchange.
"That Drury gave up on Mancini in less than a full season ought to show how bad a GM he has become.
"Then, toss in the fact that he also gave up the Draft pick at a time when his prospect depth is suspect – and you have reasons why he should be fired."
Stick around; there's more; especially if you believe that obtaining Erik Brannstrom is a bargain.
"Erik is barely 5-10. He's bounced back and forth between the AHL and NHL over the years. If Laviolette won't play Zac Jones then how does Brannstrom expect to earn a roster spot? He's headed to Hartford."
There's not a whole lot about collegiate throw-in Jackson Dorrington to cause handstands at MSG.
He's 20; plays for Northeastern and the Canucks used a 2022 sixth-round pick on him.
Rubenstein: "The one thing everyone seems to agree on is that he's seen as an intelligent defender, uses his 6-2 to advantage. However, his skating is viewed as suspect."
But as The Maven previously noted, the outcome of the Miller deal hinges on its chief protagonist – Miller.
Time will tell who's right in this debate – Rubenstein or The Maven! There shall be no ties; nor duplicate prizes to be awarded.