J.T. Miller stood out as the most logical choice to assume the mantle of captaincy for the New York Rangers.
One dimension of leadership that often goes unnoticed is the ability to connect meaningfully with the next generation. Miller embodies this quality. At past youth hockey events, he has engaged naturally with aspiring players, sharing not only the story of his professional journey but also the mindset that carried him through.
This writer witnessed a similar dynamic firsthand at the Colorado Avalanche’s recent captain’s skate. The coaches weren’t orchestrating the drills; Gabriel Landeskog was. The captain himself was setting the tone and leading the session. It takes a rare figure to command the trust not only of teammates but of coaches as well. Miller, by every measure, has shown the same capacity.
Miller didn’t follow the typical path of a first-round draft pick. Selected 15th overall by the Rangers in 2011, he entered the league with high expectations but struggled to meet them early on. Inconsistent play marked his first few seasons, and he fell short of what teams usually demand from such a high pick.
By his fourth NHL season, Miller began showing improvement, but he still wasn’t producing at the level New York had hoped for. After parts of six seasons with the Rangers, the organization made a major move. On February 26, 2018, Miller was traded — along with captain Ryan McDonagh — to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Libor Hajek, Brett Howden, Vladislav Namestnikov, a 2018 first-round pick, and a conditional second-round pick.
Miller Took It As Motivation
Upon arriving in Tampa, Miller was a changed player. He posted four points in his first six games and was promoted to the top line. Within two weeks, Miller scored his first hat trick and a week after that, he scored the game-winning goal against the New York Islanders to help the Lightning break their franchise record for most goals in a season. He finished the regular season with a career-high 58 points (23 goals, 35 assists). If Miller hadn’t been humbled, perhaps there’s a chance we never would have gotten to see this version of him.
After the Lighting were eliminated from the playoffs, Miller signed a five-year, $26.25 million contract to remain with the team. However, despite winning the Presidents' Trophy as the team, the Lightning were swept in four games by the Blue Jackets in their first round playoff series. And to add salt to the wound, Tampa had no choice but to trade him to ease the burden of the salary cap in the aftermath. He ended up getting dealt to the Vancouver Canucks on June 22, 2019 in exchange for Marek Mazanec, a 2019 third-round pick, and a conditional 2020 first-round pick.
Now this is where the story of J.T. Miller truly unfolded. He understood why he got traded the first time. The second was understandable, but nonetheless disappointing, but Miller became possessed – in a good way.
Over his next five campaigns, Miller would have three seasons of posting at least 80 points or more, including a career-high 103 points (37 goals, 66 assists) in 81 regular season games. But less than a year following that memorable campaign, Miller was dealt back to the Rangers at the deadline after there was reportedly tension between Miller and Canucks teammate Elias Pettersson that was so bad that the team felt they had to get rid of someone. That someone was Miller, who said the entire thing was blown out of proportion.
Time To Make A Statement
Miller’s career has come full circle, returning to the team that first invested in his potential. This time, he embraced the chance to make a statement—not only about his growth as a player but also about his evolution as a person. In 32 games, he registered 35 points, reaffirming his ability to perform at a point-per-game pace. His 13 goals and 22 assists underscored not just his offensive skill, but also his willingness to adapt and contribute as a complete teammate.
What sets Miller apart, however, is not just his production but the composure with which he has navigated setbacks. Through inconsistency, trades, and heightened expectations, he has carried himself with dignity and maturity. That resilience has now been recognized with the captaincy—an honor that reflects both his on-ice impact and his presence in the locker room.
It is a remarkable turnaround from his first stint in New York, which fell short of expectations. Then-head coach Alain Vigneault was blunt in his assessment, warning that Miller needed to “figure it out” or risk becoming a permanent fixture in the minors.
Miller did figure it out. Today, he returns as a leader, ready to guide his teammates into the next chapter of the Rangers’ pursuit of greatness.