COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Challenging Season for JT Miller

The Rangers have faced some hurdles this season, especially with injuries affecting key players like Filip Sitil and Patrick Kane. Similarly, they haven’t completely benefited from JT Miller during his first year as captain.

Miller, now 33, has struggled to find his peak performance throughout the season due to a series of injuries. He played in Thursday’s 6-3 loss against the Blue Jackets, marking just his fourth game back after missing five games.

This wasn’t the first time Miller found himself on injured reserve; he had a previous upper-body injury earlier in the season that sidelined him for seven games. These lengthy absences have understandably kept him a step behind his teammates.

Despite his return, he hasn’t scored since January 26, leading to visible signs of frustration both on and off the ice. During postgame interviews, his body language spoke volumes about his dissatisfaction with the season and his overall performance.

“I think he’s working on his game,” coach Mike Sullivan noted after the Rangers’ record fell to 28-33-8. “He’s improving, getting better with his timing and conditioning. However, he’s missed quite a bit of hockey this year.”

In Thursday’s match, Miller was involved in two goals against, highlighting the challenges he’s faced. He temporarily filled in as a center between Connor Sheary and Ty Cartoy due to Noah Laba’s injury, but this line’s ice time didn’t compare favorably to the Rangers’ fourth unit.

Last Wednesday against the Devils, it was even tougher for him, as he skated on the wing with Vincent Trocheck and Will Quill. Surprisingly, this trio had the lowest expected goals-against percentage among lines logging significant ice time.

In over 17 minutes of play against the Devils, Miller ended up with no shots on goal—a trend he’s unfortunately repeated multiple times this season. With 39 points (14 goals and 25 assists) through 55 games, he’s on track for his lowest total in a season where he plays at least 60 games since 2018-19.

Coach Sullivan acknowledged the inconsistency in Miller’s performance, understanding the obstacles he has encountered. “We know there’s another level to his game,” he said. “It seems like every time he starts to gain momentum, he faces a setback.” With the Rangers missing the playoffs, one might question if Miller should take more time to recover. But for him, if he’s able to play, he will.

This is Miller’s team, and he feels compelled to support his teammates. Sullivan remains focused on constructing a winning culture within the locker room, with Miller positioned as a vital part of that strategy.

When asked about keeping veteran players like Conor Sheary instead of evaluating younger talents, Sullivan’s preference was clear. Other players from Hartford, like Brett Berard and Brendan Brisson, offer potential, but Sullivan emphasized the value of experience that Sheary brings to the team. “He has a good understanding of the game, and his ability to force turnovers adds a lot. We need that kind of detail to our game,” he stated, reflecting on Sheary’s contributions.