Is It Time For New York Rangers To Move On From J.T. Miller?

By Brandon Fitzpatrick @bfitzsports on October 20, 2014

This was supposed to be J.T. Miller‘s big breakout season for the New York Rangers.

After having Chris Kreider, an inconsistent young player in the past, breakthrough last season, people had high hopes for Miller coming into this new season. The Rangers let Brad Richards go and did not sign another center, clearly banking on Miller to fill that role. Even if it didn’t work at center, Miller certainly could have had a chance to become a winger in the top-nine.

But Miller is now back in the AHL and it is time to wonder if Miller will be a part of the Rangers’ future.

Kevin Hayes, who is getting his first taste of professional hockey, will surely be the Rangers’ third center when Derek Stepan gets healthy. On the other hand, Miller, who was given a shot to play with good players in the first couple of games, might be out of the mix as far as the NHL squad goes.

If you can recall, head coach Alain Vigneault called out Miller last year, saying that he needed to decide if he wants to be an NHL player or a career AHL player. Miller came into camp in great shape, and looked good in his first few preseason games, but his game slowly began to deteriorate. He was sloppy in his own zone, and his decisions with the puck were atrocious.

The Rangers are in the market for a center, as it is their biggest deficiency. One has to wonder if Miller’s name might get thrown into trade negotiations for a center once Stepan gets back. If Hayes continues to impress, and if Anthony Duclair can find a way to stick with the big club, Miller could be on his way out of New York.