It might be time to pump the brakes on the Sonny Milano hype train.
The 21-year-old rookie’s emergence was one of the biggest surprise storylines of training camp, but nobody could have predicted what was next for the Long Island native.
Sonny shined out of the gate for the Jackets, scoring four goals in his first three games, a hot start that culminated with a two-goal effort at Carolina that included an absolutely ridiculous overtime winner.
Since he was drafted in 2014, Milano’s name led to the obligatory mention of his YouTube skills video. It was the CBJ equivalent of “did you know Sam Hubbard played lacrosse?” during Ohio State football games. That YouTube video brought on Patrick Kane comparisons for the young winger, an amazingly unfair comparison for a player who was far from a finished product in his draft year.
He’s still not a finished product – few rookies are – but he certainly flashed those stick skills with this absurd move on his overtime winner.
Milano. Top Shelf. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/RUCsjCiFe1
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 11, 2017
While Milano’s emergence was a surprise to many, his regression since then shouldn’t be. It’s a rite of passage for rookies in the NHL, and head coach John Tortorella talked about it at length on Friday.
“[His play has] dipped, but it’s expected. He’s one that we’re going to work with, we’re going to coach him,” Torts told the media. “It’s not always going to be good – some nights it’s going to be awful, some nights it’s going to be terrific – that’s how it is with a young player."
His ice time has dipped – albeit not by much – since his hot start. His possession numbers as a whole are strong – 51.43% relative Corsi – but near the bottom of a team that's performed very well in that regard so far. Fun fact: the Blue Jackets currently have *zero* players who are under 50% in that realm.
There are even underlying stats to suggest that Milano's actually been playing better during this slump. His CF% in the first three games – when he scored those four goals – was a dead even 50%. In the four games since then, it's nearly three points higher at 52.94%.
Very few players – the Connor McDavid, Patrik Laine, Auston Matthews, Zach Werenski caliber of players – are immune to rookie-year slumps. Milano’s not that polished, surefire superstar type of talent, but he’s talented enough to warrant patience. The level of talent and preparation at the NHL level is immensely higher than it is anywhere Milano has previously played. Tortorella echoed this sentiment.
“With a guy with skill like that, we have to spend some time and teach the game,” he said. “Young players, when they get a quick start, they find out pretty quickly that teams do video, teams key on certain situations, they understand the team they’re playing against."
It’s safe to say that teams have identified something in Milano’s game to key on and shut him down. Since his last start’ he’s been held without a point in his last four games. Even his hot start was perhaps a bit uncharacteristic – a reputed playmaker with zero assists but four goals – and his first two goals were Scott Hartnell-esque, tight-in-traffic goals.
Regardless, Milano will get back to his game. It may not be soon – and it may take another stint in the AHL down the road – but it’s going to take some patience. Patience on Milano’s part, on Tortorella’s part and on the fans’ part.
For what it’s worth, Torts is willing to be patient.
“It’s a hard league, those are the things young players go through,” he said. “Sonny’s in the middle of that very early in the season."
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