The New York Rangers entered the new year clinging to playoff hopes, but just a few weeks into January, the message from the front office is clear: it’s time for a reset. After a post-Winter Classic collapse, general manager Chris Drury has acknowledged that the team is shifting gears.
The focus now? Flipping veteran assets for younger players and draft capital.
It’s not being labeled a rebuild, but let’s call it what it is - a retool with long-term intentions.
One of the biggest names on the move could be Artemi Panarin. With his contract expiring after the season, Drury has confirmed that any talks of an extension are off the table. That’s a loud signal that the Rangers are ready to make some significant changes - and Panarin could headline the list of departures before the March 6 trade deadline.
But not everyone is on the trade block. According to NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, one name that’s staying put is captain J.T.
Miller. The reason?
Miller holds a no-move clause, and he’s not budging. LeBrun reported that Miller has no intention of waiving it - and the Rangers aren’t even going to ask.
“They traded for him last year, they made him captain, and they still believe in the reasons why they made that move,” LeBrun said. “Miller should not be part of whatever exodus of players leaves New York.”
For a segment of the fan base that’s been less than thrilled with Miller’s performance this season, that news may sting. But barring a massive change of heart, Miller is going to ride out the rest of the season in a Rangers sweater.
Miller’s return to New York came with high expectations. Drury and head coach Mike Sullivan - brought in to replace Peter Laviolette after last year’s disappointing finish - saw Miller as a culture-setter.
He was handed the captaincy before the season and was vocal about the team’s new “No BS” mentality during training camp. But as the losses pile up, that motto feels more like a slogan than a standard.
The Rangers’ regression has been hard to ignore. After reaching the Eastern Conference Final two seasons ago, they missed the playoffs last year with a 39-36-7 record.
This season, the same issues have resurfaced - and then some. They’ve struggled to generate consistent offense, the home record is abysmal (just 5-13-4), and they’ve dropped eight of their last 10.
Injuries haven’t helped. Losing Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox after the Winter Classic was a gut punch, but the problems go deeper than that. Even when healthy, this team has looked disjointed, flat, and at times, uninspired.
That brings us back to Miller. As captain, he’s expected to be the emotional compass of the locker room - the guy who steadies the ship when things get rocky. But after a 4-2 collapse against the Seattle Kraken, in which the Rangers blew a 2-0 first-period lead, Miller’s postgame comments didn’t exactly inspire confidence.
Asked if the team’s energy dipped after the opening period, Miller responded, “I don’t know. I’m sorry. I don’t know.”
It was a brief quote, but it landed with a thud. Fans were looking for fire, for leadership, for something to latch onto amid the free fall. Instead, they got a shrug.
Through 42 games, Miller has 13 goals and 19 assists - solid, but not enough to silence the critics, especially given the expectations that come with the “C” on his chest. And with the team in sell mode, his presence becomes even more polarizing. While others may be shipped out, Miller is staying put - not because of performance or popularity, but because of contract structure and organizational belief.
Chris Drury built this roster, and he still has the trust of owner James Dolan. But the decisions made over the next six weeks will shape the franchise's direction for years to come.
Moving Panarin or Vincent Trocheck would be major steps toward a youth movement. But Miller?
He’s officially off the table.
So the Rangers move forward, caught between the remnants of a contender and the early stages of a rebuild. The reset is underway - and while the captain isn’t going anywhere, the rest of the roster might look very different by the time the deadline rolls around.