What a difference a matter of months makes for J.T. Miller. In September, the 2011 first-round pick was named the 29th captain in New York Rangers history.
Related: Rangers May Have Better Finish to the Season Than You Think
It appeared Miller was running a new honeymoon period and was finding success in his second run in New York after getting reacquired from the Vancouver Canucks last January. Now, he finds himself in the wilderness as a frustrating 2025-26 campaign continues that has been plagued by injuries.
A Decline in Numbers
In 55 games this season, Miller has posted just 39 points – well below the above point per game pace he posted as a Ranger in 2024-25.
The downtrend in part stems from a suspected injury he suffered just before the regular season began, as Miller was seen slow to get up, favoring what appeared to be his left leg. While the injury wasn’t believed to be serious and Miller continued to play through it, who knows how much it has lingered throughout the season?
Oh no: Miller went lunging to save a puck here and came up favoring his leg. You can see he’s in pain and he heads off to the locker room. #NYR pic.twitter.com/poxnzlOFNk
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) September 29, 2025
Add that to the fact that Miller has been forced to miss time with other injuries this season, including most recently suffering an upper-body injury that cost him five games on the injury reserve list this month. Since returning to the lineup on March 14, Miller is looking more like a liability for the team, posting expected goals for percentages of 26.66 percent, 52.80 percent, 20.89 percent and 41.77 percent in the last four respective games.
The good news is Miller has managed to average an expected goal share above 51 percent this season. However, his recent play and his lack of scoring throughout the season have been hurting the team.
Potential to Shut Miller Down
Now, that raises a question: Should the Rangers continue to send Miller out on the ice in a lost season, with no playoffs on the line? Probably not.
For one, the Rangers could risk further injury. Miller is under contract for the next four seasons after this one, at an $8 million average annual value. The team needs him healthy and at his best going forward.
Two, at this point in the season, the Blueshirts need to give key minutes to as many young players as possible to see how many fit into the organization’s future plans. Already, we are seeing Alexis Lafrenière and Gabe Perreault thrive from getting top minutes in the second half of this season.
Perhaps, the Rangers should consider shutting Miller down for the remainder of the season and calling up a few players, with some options including Adam Sýkora, Bryce McConnell-Barker and Dylan Roobroeck. None of those options has the potential to be the next Jari Kurri exactly, but it’s time to see what the young blood in the organization has to offer.
Expect a Bounce Back Next Season
Simply put, prioritizing health allows Miller to focus on recovery and position himself for a stronger 2026-27 season. It’s fair to expect at least some kind of bounce back then.
Now, does that mean Miller will return to being a 90- to 100-point player? No, as those days are likely over. However, the 33-year-old still has enough left in the tank to put up 50-60 points. Add that to his versatility in playing center, the wing, on the penalty kill, the power play and his elite faceoff ability, winning 60.8 percent of his draws this season.
Whether the Rangers decide to trade Miller by the time his modified no-trade clause kicks in after the end of next season, he’ll likely be viewed as a valuable piece around the league.
But for now, 2025-26 can’t end sooner for Miller and the Rangers. It might just be time to shut the captain down and get him ready for next season because right now, his play is hurting the team.
