Tampa Bay Lightning sign J.T. Miller to 5-year extension
By Jasmine Yen
The Tampa Bay Lightning have resigned left-winger J.T. Miller for the next five years. Was this a good idea?
J.T. Miller has signed a 5-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning worth $5.25 million per season. He was acquired by the Tampa Bay Lightning from the New York Rangers at the trade deadline, along with defenseman Ryan McDonagh. In 19 regular season games with his new team, he scored 10 goals and had eight assists.
Miller played predominantly on the second or third line in New York and is a good two-way player. In Tampa, he averaged over 18 minutes of ice time. Miller quickly found himself on Tampa’s first powerplay unit along with Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman.
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He is 25 years old and his point production is on a steady rise. Last season, Miller, between the Rangers and the Lightning, recorded 58 points, including a career-high 23 goals. This marks his third straight season with over 50 points and 20 goals.
Miller is a reliable offensive threat that gives the Bolts depth on the wings. At the same time, he’s a good defensive forward, which makes him an ideal fit on any forward line.
With the Lightning, he was originally playing on the first line. However, at times, Miller was demoted when he struggled to put up points.
This deal is way too much for a third-line winger so unless he proves that he can play higher up and with more responsibilities, this contract could be a big cap problem.
The deal shows that Tampa Bay trusts him and is willing to give him a bigger role next season. As of right now, Daily Faceoff has Alex Killorn on the first line left wing. But I think that by the time next season rolls around, Miller will be back on that line with Stamkos and Kucherov.
This deal makes him the fourth-highest paid forward on the team, ahead of the likes of Nikita Kucherov and Alex Killorn. If you’re paying a player – especially a winger – over five million dollars, he better be one of your top guys who can play in all situations and be relied upon when you need a goal. Steve Yzerman clearly thinks Miller’s worth it but only time can tell.