What’s next for Rangers after J.T. Miller goes on IR with upper-body injury
The hits just keep on coming this season for the New York Rangers. On Tuesday, they placed captain J.T. Miller on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.
Reportedly this is a different injury from the upper-body issue that forced him to miss seven games, including the outdoor Winter Classic against the Florida Panthers in Miami, from Dec. 21 – Jan. 5.
Miller played the entirety of New York’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. He logged 19:23 TOI, and assisted on Will Borgen’s goal in the third period, when the Rangers erased a four-goal deficit to force overtime. And after the game, Miller spoke with reporters, appearing none the worse for wear.
It’s unknown what the exact injury is or whether it’s a new or lingering issue. Miller was hit in the back of the head by a shot after being knocked to the ice in front of the Columbus net by Erik Gudbranson with 7:26 remaining in the third period. He remained in the game for the ensuing power play, when Borgen scored to make it 4-3.
The 32-year-old forward played five more shifts the rest of the night, and did not miss a single one. He started the 3-on-3 overtime for New York with Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox.
Rangers’ J.T. Miller sustains latest blow in rollercoaster season
It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Miller this season. Named the 29th captain in franchise history before training camp started, he sustained an injury a couple weeks later that he played through to begin the season. Never looking completely healthy, Miller slumped to 14 goals and 38 points in 51 games, and the Rangers (23-29-8) are last in the Eastern Conference.
Seeing the team trade Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 4 amid an expected extensive retool of the roster is not what Miller envisioned for his first season as captain.
He did have several big moments earlier in the season, including scoring three overtime goals and another shootout game-winner. Along with Rangers teammate Vincent Trocheck, Miller helped the United States men’s hockey team capture the gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Olympics last month.
What’s next for Rangers after J.T. Miller injury
Juuso Parssinen — photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
The Rangers recalled forwards Juuso Parssinen and Jaroslav Chmelar from Hartford of the American Hockey League late Tuesday afternoon. Parssinen has the hot hand lately in the minors, scoring four goals in his past five AHL games. He began the season as a lineup regular for the Rangers, so should get another chance here, either at center or on the wing.
Chmelar is pointless in six games with the Rangers this season. The 22-year-old could fill a fourth-line role, since forward Brendan Brisson was assigned to Hartford, along with defenseman Scott Morrow, on Tuesday.
The Rangers could elevate extra forward Jonny Brodzinski into the lineup, too. Brodzinski’s moved up and down the Rangers lineup over the past few years, and plays center or on the wing, just like Miller. It’s also possible that Adam Edstrom could be activated off IR since he’s been practicing with the team lately. Edstrom, a bottom-six wing, missed 33 games so far with a lower-body injury.
Further complicating matters is the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday. The Rangers are likely to trade Trocheck before then, or hold him out of the lineup for roster management reasons Thursday, when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Brodzinski, Sam Carrick, Taylor Raddysh, and Conor Sheary are other forwards that could be traded.
Barring any other moves, it’d make the most sense to give Parssinen a look in the top six, though they might prefer him on the third line, with a more veteran option taking Miller’s minutes.
Any trades between now and Thursday certainly will only add to the lineup confusion.
