Mike Sullivan Open To Potential Mika Zibanejad-J.T. Miller Combo
For parts of the 2024-25 season, Mika Zibanejad and J.T. Miller played on the same line for the New York Rangers, despite both being natural centers.
Upon acquiring Miller from the Vancouver Canucks, the Rangers paired Zibanejad and Miller together, creating a line with two centers.
The two veteran forwards alternated taking faceoffs and seemed to have chemistry with one another.
Now, the Rangers have a new head coach in Mike Sullivan, and the big question is if he’ll keep Zibanejad and Miller together.
Sullivan hinted at being open to the idea of keeping Zibanejad and Miller on the same line.
“As part of that conversation one of the things he expressed to me is even though he lined up on the wing on the face-offs, he felt they were interchangeable in the sense that they could read off each other,” Sullivan said via Dan Rosen of NHL.com. “They both have a comfort level playing down low in the defensive zone. They both have a comfort level in the face-off circle with one being a righty and one being a lefty. He expressed that to me. I would envision us exploring that combination to see if they can potentially build on the chemistry that they've already built.
“Those are three pretty high-quality centermen. I think it's going to play itself out, but certainly the conversations I've had with Mika to this point I would envision us exploring keeping Mika with J.T.”
Once Zibanejad began to play alongside Miller, his improvement was notable, and his confidence skyrocketed.
We’ll likely see a line consisting of Zibanejad, Miller, and Will Cuylle, who should be a productive offensive line, while also serving as the team’s defensive shutdown line.
Dave Canales Stuns With Post-Game Statement on Panthers’ Future
From Rookie Mistakes to Future Wins: Canales’ Blueprint for a Winning Culture
In the aftermath of Carolina’s season-opening stumble, head coach Dave Canales made it clear he isn’t panicking — he’s planning. Instead of lamenting rookie errors or calling for immediate fixes, Canales leaned into a philosophy that feels both daring and calculated. His message was crisp and telling: “Mistakes from our rookies today will turn into victories tomorrow. That’s how you grow a winning culture.”
It’s a statement that goes beyond coach-speak. For a Panthers organization searching for direction after consecutive losing seasons, Canales is drawing a line in the sand. His blueprint is not about patchwork solutions or leaning on aging veterans to stop the bleeding. Rather, he’s committed to the long-term, placing responsibility — and trust — squarely on the shoulders of his youngest players.
Betting on the Future
The logic behind Canales’ stance is simple: experience is earned, not inherited. Allowing rookies to take real snaps in pressure situations accelerates their development in ways no practice field can replicate. Every missed block, dropped ball, or blown coverage becomes not just a mistake, but a lesson. And those lessons, Canales argues, are the raw ingredients of a culture that values resilience over perfection.
This approach stands in contrast to the traditional NFL tendency of shielding rookies until they’re “ready.” For Canales, readiness is forged through the fire of live competition. His gamble is that by the time the Panthers hit midseason, those same young players will have transitioned from liabilities into difference-makers.
A Culture Shift in Carolina
The Panthers’ locker room is taking notice. Veterans understand that the coach’s trust in youth doesn’t diminish their role, but rather reshapes it. Instead of carrying the entire load, veterans become mentors, guiding rookies through the inevitable turbulence. That dynamic can strengthen team chemistry and, in time, reshape the identity of the franchise.
Fans, however, may find the patience test more difficult. Carolina’s faithful have endured years of inconsistency, and another season of “growing pains” may not sit easily in a competitive NFC South. Canales knows this. His willingness to voice his philosophy publicly signals not just belief in his players, but an effort to prepare fans for the bigger picture: success will not come overnight, but it will come.
The Long Game
In the NFL, where job security often lives week-to-week, Canales’ conviction is refreshing. His blueprint echoes strategies of winning programs across sports: cultivate youth, embrace the learning curve, and build a culture that can sustain success for years.
The Panthers may not dominate immediately, but if Canales’ vision holds true, today’s rookie mistakes will one day be remembered as the first steps in Carolina’s return to relevance.
