It’s been a tough season for J.T. Miller. The Rangers captain has battled injuries throughout 2025-26. Two separate injured reserve stints have caused him to miss 14 games. Despite whatever has ailed him, the prideful Miller still played a checking role with Vincent Trocheck in helping Team USA win its first Olympic gold medal since 1980.

When he has played for the Blueshirts, the 33-year-old veteran center has been a shell of himself. Consider that after coming over from Vancouver last year, Miller put up 35 points in 32 games in his return to Broadway. His production has been the exact opposite in his first full season as a Ranger since 2016-17, when as a 23-year-old, he tallied 56 points. Instead, Miller’s been a frustrating player who’s lost his explosiveness, resulting in an uneven year that’s seen him put up 39 points in 55 games. Even more concerning, he’s a team worst minus-28.

Recently, he missed five games earlier this month due to another injury. Without him, the Rangers played better by winning four of five and outscoring opponents 25-13. During that stretch, the power play went an impressive 8-for-16, proving to be more effective with rookie Gabe Perreault on the first unit. There was better puck movement, which led to them having more success.

Once Miller returned, Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan moved Perreault to the second unit. Fittingly, Perreault set up Noah Laba for a power-play goal against the Wild on Mar. 14. That came after the reformed top unit was ineffective. In four games since, the Rangers are 3-for-12. That included Alexis Lafreniere tipping in an Adam Fox shot in Thursday night’s 6-3 defeat to the Blue Jackets. Miller hasn’t factored in on any of the three power-play goals. To be blunt, he hasn’t done much of anything.

In losing three of their last four with Miller, the Rangers have been outscored 18-11 and outshot 150-82 by opponents. Aside from helping set up a Conor Sheary goal in a 6-3 loss to the Devils on Wednesday, Miller is a minus-4. Before he replaced an injured Laba on the third line, the second line was outshot 8-0 by the Devils and constantly pinned in. By contrast, the number one line anchored by Mika Zibanejad held their own by spending more time in the offensive zone. They were on for one goal for and one goal against with a shot differential of minus-2.

In the loss to Columbus, Sullivan kept Miller with Tye Kartye and Sheary. Despite performing well as a line, they gave up a goal. Miller finished the game a minus-2 in 18:37. That included over six minutes of power play time compared to just 2:30 for Perreault due to being demoted. As a team, the Rangers were 1-for-6. Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t good enough to come out with a win against the sizzling Blue Jackets, who moved past the Islanders into third place in the Metropolitan Division.

With 13 games remaining, the Rangers are playing for next year. When it comes down to it, experienced players such as Miller already have a spot locked up before the start of 2026-27. With a full no-movement clause through 2027 and $32 million owed over the final four years of his contract, it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere. If he isn’t fully healthy, why does he continue to play?

It would be much wiser if the Rangers shut him down and let him recover from the injuries that plagued his season. Unfortunately, they seem okay with allowing Miller to play out the final stretch. There isn’t any point in continuing to do so. Already unable to win the division, it’s only a matter of time before they’re officially eliminated from reaching the playoffs.

At this point, the organization should prioritize getting as many younger faces into the lineup to see what they’re capable of. Adam Sykora has continued to play well for Hartford in the American Hockey League. The 2022 second round pick is up to 12 goals and 28 points for the Wolf Pack. Sullivan has liked what he’s seen from Jaroslav Chmelar on the fourth line. How about finding out what the 22-year-old Sykora can provide. That would require him to sit out a veteran like Sheary.

Until Laba returns, Miller will continue to center the third line. If he can come back sooner than later, Laba will be back with Kartye. With Adam Edstrom continuing to get reps at center on the checking line, the Rangers are trying to find out if Edstrom can play there full-time in the future.

Given his stature in the locker room, it’s understandable why Miller would want to keep playing. Hockey players have a different mindset. Especially someone as bullheaded as Miller. They don’t always want to do what’s best for themselves. If the organization took an actual stance instead of letting an older player who they’ll need to be much better moving forward, there would be some optimism.

What would you expect from a team that iced a lineup with journeyman defenseman Connor Mackey over Vincent Iorio in game number 69 of 82. The more things change, the more they stay the same.