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J.T. Miller finally got the long-anticipated matchup against his former team out of the way on Saturday afternoon.
The New York Rangers defeated the Vancouver Canucks 5-3, but the main story of this game had nothing to do with what transpired on the ice.
Miller’s reported feud with Elias Pettersson dominated hockey headlines for a large part of the season and spiraled out of control around the Canucks organization.
Ultimately, it was the nail in the coffin for Miller in Vancouver as the Canucks traded the veteran forward to the Rangers on Jan. 31.
To this day, Miller feels that the situation regarding him and Pettersson was mostly media-driven and didn’t hold the same magnitude as many people may have originally thought.
However, Miller doesn't entirely deny the tension with Pettersson.
“The whole me-and-Petey thing, it's still blown out of proportion,” Miller said via Sportsnet’s Iain Maclntyre. “I get what Jim was doing. I have a ton of respect for Jim (Rutherford), and I talked with Jim after that (story). I wasn't mad; I understand everybody has a job to do.
“Clearly, if me and Petey were better than we were, obviously this might be different. But it's also not as bad as everybody thought, either. It's just an easy thing for everybody to run with. There was just a lot of moving parts.”
The 31-year-old spent some of his best years in Vancouver. He had his best statistical season during the 2023-24 campaign, recording 37 goals, 66 assists and 103 points in 81 games while averaging 19:29 minutes.
Nobody could have expected Miller not to be wearing a Canucks jersey just one year removed from that incredible season.
Over a few months, a lot happened behind the scenes that we may never know, resulting in a messy divorce between Miller and the Canucks.
“That’s fair,” Miller said. “Leaving Vancouver, it wasn't really something I ever even thought about. But there was a lot (that happened). It has been a long year for me, personally, away from the game. You sit back and try to evaluate what it means to you. Remember, we are just playing a game. I understand that it is your job.
“I don't want to get into too much detail, but, yeah, I think a fresh start was needed. I've got nothing bad to say about the Canucks or Vancouver as a city. We loved it there. It felt like home and that's all you can ask for. But, unfortunately, this is a business and in the business end of things, it was getting difficult.”
Since arriving in New York, Miller has thrived and is now one if not the Rangers’ most impactful forwards.
More importantly, Miller admitted that he’s in a better place mentally and is enjoying what he loves to do most, play hockey.
“It’s been nice to just be enjoying hockey again: showing up and enjoying work and being in a better place mentally,” Miller said via Peter Baugh of The Athletic.
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