The New York Rangers came into this season with high expectations and a roster built to contend. But instead of taking a step forward, they’ve stumbled badly - and the frustration is starting to boil over.
General Manager Chris Drury’s recent call for a “retool” was meant to jolt the team into action. So far, though, the only thing it’s sparked is more questions.
Since that statement, the Rangers have gone 1-3, including a winless swing through California - a trip that featured three very winnable games, and three straight losses.
The message is clear: change is coming. And it might involve some big names.
One of those names? J.T. Miller.
Miller, the Rangers’ captain, didn’t hide his emotions after Friday night’s loss to the San Jose Sharks. His visible frustration has only added fuel to the speculation around his future in New York.
While he holds a full no-movement clause and, by all accounts, hasn’t shown interest in waiving it, that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from spinning. One team that’s reportedly keeping tabs?
The Minnesota Wild.
Minnesota GM Bill Guerin is no stranger to bold moves, and according to team insiders Michael Russo and Joe Smith, Miller is a player who fits Guerin’s mold. Tough, gritty, and productive, Miller checks a lot of boxes.
He’s a force in the faceoff circle, plays with an edge, and has shown he can score - putting up a career-best 37 goals and 103 points just last season. That kind of output doesn’t go unnoticed, even in a down year.
This season, Miller’s numbers have dipped - 13 goals and 19 assists through 43 games - but the skillset is still there. He’s in the third year of a seven-year, $56 million deal he signed with Vancouver in 2022, a contract that includes a full no-move clause through the 2026-27 season.
That’s a big commitment, especially with Miller turning 33 later this year. But for a team like Minnesota, looking to add veteran firepower down the middle, it’s worth exploring.
Of course, any deal would be complicated. Drury paid a steep price to bring Miller back to New York, and he’s not likely to move him for pennies on the dollar - even if Miller were to consider waiving his clause.
And then there’s the matter of Miller’s past, specifically his high-profile split with Elias Pettersson in Vancouver. If Guerin were to seriously pursue a trade, he’d likely want to sit down with Canucks captain Quinn Hughes to get the full story on what went down behind the scenes.
As of now, though, both Miller and Drury seem content to stay the course. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun has reported that neither side is actively looking to part ways. But in the NHL, things can shift quickly - especially when the losses start to pile up.
Miller wears the “C” for a reason. He plays hard, leads vocally, and doesn’t shy away from accountability.
But he’s also fiercely competitive, and the losing is clearly wearing on him. If the Rangers can’t right the ship soon, it’s fair to wonder whether Miller’s stance might soften - and whether a team like Minnesota could become a realistic landing spot.
For now, he’s still in New York, still battling, and still trying to lead a turnaround. But with the trade deadline approaching and the Rangers’ season teetering, this is a storyline that’s far from over.