Vancouver Canucks' Boeser speaks on adjusting to life without J.T. Miller
The duo of Brock Boeser and J.T. Miller was a staple atop the Vancouver Canucks lineup in recent years.
While the Canucks changed their lines frequently over the past few seasons, that duo always seemed to stick together. They had a ton of chemistry, and both found their stride last year. Boeser finished with 40 goals, and Miller recorded 103 points.
Fast forward to today, and Miller is gone. The Canucks traded the 31-year-old after his feud with co-star Elias Pettersson became public. Miller’s departure has left a hole in the Canucks lineup, and no one is feeling it more than Boeser.
“It’s definitely a lot different. When you play with a guy for two years, and a guy to that degree of how good he is, and how good of a passer he is and how he creates space, it’s definitely an adjustment,” explained Boeser today.
“I feel like I’m trying to understand that it’s going to be different, and I’ve got to play a little different with other guys. I think I can definitely shoot the puck more and get around the net… I think I’ve got to get net front and find those greasy rebounds.”
The Canucks have been unable to find Boeser regular linemates since Miller left. The latest combinations have the right-handed sniper skating with Elias Pettersson and Drew O’Connor on a new look top line.
The 28-year-old’s numbers have taken a nosedive without his old linemate around. Boeser has just 18 goals and 38 points in 56 games this season and just two goals and five points in 13 games since Miller was traded.
“Let’s face it,” said head coach Rick Tocchet on March 5. “Him and Millsy had a lot of chemistry. Millsy drove a lot of play for him, he transported the puck a lot. Right now, we’re trying to find [that guy], to compliment Boes, he’s not a transporter, he’s a guy that [can finish]. That’s a bit of a struggle, so I think sometimes Brock might have to change a little bit the way he plays to get more looks.”
“He’s a really good tipper of picks; he’s really good in the slot, sometimes I think he’s been deferring for the outside one-timer shot. I think his gift is around the net; I think that’s something you’d like to see him do a bit more.”
The Canucks kept Boeser past the trade deadline in a shocking move. The pending free agent and club have discussed a new contract, but negotiations have not come close to getting over the line. As of right now, he’s likely to hit free agency on July 1.
It’s been an adjustment period for Boeser without his usual centre. The Canucks desperately need him to find a similar connection with one of their current centres to stick in the playoff race. Only time will tell if they can make that happen before the postseason begins.