Rangers injury update: J.T. Miller out, Artemi Panarin possible vs. Devils
J.T. Miller’s lower-body injury will keep the New York Rangers captain out of the lineup again on Thursday night when they host the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden. But the good news for the Rangers is that forward Artemi Panarin, their top scorer in each of the past six seasons, might make his preseason debut after missing the first four contests with his own lower-body injury.
Miller was injured Monday when he lunged to push a loose puck past a defender toward the left point during competitive drills and sustained a non-contact injury. He remained on all fours, then pushed himself up on his left leg and gingerly took careful skating strides toward the bench. Miller glided the last several feet before departing back into the locker room area and hasn’t seen the ice since.
Initial fears that the injury might be serious were soon ruled out, but he hasn’t returned to practice.
“My understanding is that he’s day to day,” coach Mike Sullivan said after practice Wednesday. “We’re obviously erring on the side of caution. He will not play tomorrow, I’ll tell you that. We’ll make decisions from there. I believe he’s trending the right way and we’ll get him back in a timely manner.”
The Rangers named Miller the 29th captain in franchise history on Sept. 16. Prior to 2024-25, Miller missed no more than two games in each of the previous three seasons. The durable center missed 10 games last season with the Vancouver Canucks due to a leave of absence from the team in November, which was said to be for “personal reasons” related to a feud with teammate Elias Pettersson.
The 32-year-old had 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) in 32 games after he was traded to the Rangers on Jan. 31. Miller is entering the third season of the seven-year, $56 million contract he signed with the Canucks in 2022.
J.T. Miller out vs. Devils but Artemi Panarin might play for Rangers
Panarin sustained his injury at practice on Sept. 19 and has yet to play in the preseason. He’s been practicing since last Friday and able to take physical contact. Sullivan said he likes what he sees, though he wouldn’t commit to dressing the 33-year-old against the Devils.
“He looks good. He looks strong,” Sullivan said. “Obviously he’s an incredible player. You know the things he does with the puck. He’s unique in that regard. You see what he does on the power play, for example. We worked on our power play at practice today. I think he looks strong, healthy, fit — all of the above. I don’t know whether we’re going to put him in the lineup tomorrow or not. We’ll make that decision after we meet this afternoon.
“But we really like the way he’s trending, and I think the last couple of days have been quality practices for him.”
The Rangers play their final preseason game Saturday afternoon against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden, before the regular season begins Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Garden. Sullivan said he’d like to have Panarin, their top scorer last season with 37 goals and 89 points, get some game action before the puck drops for the regular season.
“I think for everybody, in a perfect world you’d like to get at least a game — preferably two would be even better,” he said. “But as we all know, the world’s not perfect. Regardless of whether he gets one (game) or doesn’t get one, he’s going to be fine. He’s a talented player and he’ll adjust on the fly. But ideally we’d like to get him in some action before we start playing meaningful hockey.”
Fourth-line center Sam Carrick returned to practice Wednesday, though wearing a no-contact jersey. The 33-year-old missed a 3-2 preseason win against the New York Islanders on Monday and practice the next day because of a lower-body injury.
Carrick centered a line with Jonny Brodzinski and Brett Berard on the wings, which appeared to be an extra line. Rookie Noah Laba skated between Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom on what was more likely the fourth line.
