January 24, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Rangers center Brian Boyle (22) checks Philadelphia Flyers left wing Tom Sestito (32) and left wing Eric Wellwood (11) during the second period at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Brian Boyle was a healthy scratch against the Islanders thursday, and it’s very possible he doesn’t make the lineup against Tampa Bay tomorrow night.

I don’t want to immediately trade Brian Boyle, but I think from now until this coming offseason it needs to be discussed.

JT Miller has been a revelation for the Rangers. He’s been doing everything Brian Boyle hasn’t, and he’s potted a couple goals in his short NHL career. Whether he maintains his current form is up to him. If Miller does continue to play this way and it isn’t a fluke, I think the Rangers should explore trading him. Brian Boyle being traded though is completely contingent on Miller’s run of play. If Miller keeps it up, this is a good problem to have.

Boyle alone probably couldn’t garner much in the trade market. Paul Gaustad at the trade deadline got a 1st round pick, and depending on the market Boyle could probably get a 2nd or 3rd round pick.

That’s why I’d suggest trading Brian Boyle with Michael Del Zotto. The both of them together could probably net a good young right handed top 4 defenseman. For instance, Zach Bogosian. The Rangers can cut out some salary in the process as well.

Armchair GM playing aside, I do believe Boyle is traded this coming offseason. Even if JT Miller is sent back down this season I do believe he’ll be on the team full time next season. Add in that Oscar Lindberg may be ready to at some point next season as well, and you suddenly have a log jam at center.

Boyle has a $1.7 million cap hit and the Rangers will need to maybe shed all of that cap hit to re-sign Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, and Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers probably could re-sign all of those guys without trading Boyle, but I don’t think the team wants to be that close to the cap ceiling.

That’s just my two cents. I love what Boyle has brought in his time with the Rangers, but I think the time has come where the kids in the pipeline will be able to do what he does better, and at a cheaper cost.

Be sure to follow me on twitter @Bluelinestation.

Feb 5, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA; Mew York Rangers forward Rick Nash (61) trips over New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur (30) during the first period at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Last night 2011 first round pick JT Miller made his NHL debut for the Rangers.

Following the game Miller had this to say to the New York Post:

“it wouldn’t make sense for me not to be here.” Miller then clarified his statement by saying, “I think I can skate here. I just have to make sure I stay consistent if they give me the opportunity.”

Woah. Talk about a kid overflowing with confidence. Good thing he clarified what he was saying though, because at first I interpreted what he said as “You see all these overpaid guys on the team? Yeah I’m better than them.”

I think if he keeps playing like he did yesterday Tortorella will have a really tough decision on his hands. Keep Miller and burn a year off his entry level contract? Or send him down to Hartford to develop.

Another factor coming in the incoming decision is the play of other players around Miller. If Brian Boyle and a couple other forwards on the team begin to struggle I think Tortorella will end up keeping Miller around. If the other players on the team start picking up their play a bit, (we should hope for this) then I think Miller will be going back down.

A few more games and I think we’ll know more about what JT Miller can bring this season.

Be sure to follow me on twitter @Bluelinestation.