Former New York Rangers forward Sean Avery made his thoughts on Peter Laviolette clear a few days ago while also giving the franchise one idea about what to do next in the trade market.
Avery, who has never been shy about voicing his opinions, said on Monday that he'd "fire Peter Laviolette today" before offering the Rangers a solution for their goalscoring issues.
The former NHLer suggested a blockbuster trade that would see the Rangers acquire Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller in exchange for Filip Chytil and K’Andre Miller.
Appearing on Monday's episode of the "Spittin’ Chiclets" podcast, Avery was effusive in his praise for J.T. Miller, calling him a “superstar” who could add scoring and grit to the Rangers’ lineup.
“He’s a superstar. J.T. Miller is a big player. Reminds me of Rod Brind’Amour but a little bit different. He’s got a little Primeau brothers in him, I love him,” Avery said. “But, sweeten the pot, and don’t wait too long.
”It’s the perfect situation, you have an opportunity. West Coast team, make them move. I would give them (Filip) Chytil and I would give them K’Andre Miller. Aren’t those two enough?”
J.T. Miller, in the second season of a seven-year, $56 million deal, has been one of Vancouver’s most productive players this season, recording 21 points in 24 games.
However, J.T. Miller and teammate Elias Pettersson have been in the spotlight lately for the wrong reasons and because of their lack of production while sharing the ice, which might force Vancouver to trade one of them.
Avery’s inclusion of Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller in the hypothetical deal was no surprise, given his criticism of the defenseman.
“As far as K’Andre, you got to move him now,” Avery said on the same podcast. “You got to move him now, while he has trade value.
“It’s not going to work out. He’s not a big-market guy. He doesn’t have the demeanor of Ryan McDonough, because Ryan McDonough, when you put him in a war zone, he turns into a real warrior quick.”
K'Andre Miller, a 2018 first-round pick, has struggled to replicate last season’s success, with just six points in 28 games this year (0.21 per game) compared to 30 in 80 (0.37) last season.
This proposed trade shouldn't surprise anyone if it happens. While no reports from insiders have linked the two franchises nor the players mentioned by Avery, the Rangers are in the middle of a roster overhaul that already saw New York move important players.
Rangers general manager Chris Drury sent a league-wide memo on Nov. 24 and shortly after he traded former team captain Jacob Trouba and former no. 2 overall pick Kaapo Kakko, kickstarting his strategy.
