It seems that this reunion was a match made in heaven, again. The New York Rangers and J.T. Miller have complemented each other ever since his re-arrival in New York on January 31.
Breaking: The Vancouver Canucks have traded J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers in exchange for Filip Chytil, defenseman Victor Mancini and a 2025 first-round draft pick.
— ESPN (@espn) February 1, 2025
Defensemen Erik Brannstrom and Jackson Dorrington were also a part of the package with Miller to New York. pic.twitter.com/HuGzsIs8VL
Since coming back to the Rangers, this team has started to rise in the standings of the Eastern Conference playoff race. They are tied for the second wild card spot with Detroit, at 66 points a piece.
How has the happened, and will this trade go down as one of the best in Rangers history?
Turning Things Around
The Rangers have had a roller coaster year. The highs have been high and the lows have been dreadful. But, true to their mantra, there is no quit in this team.
Even some had said to close up shop a few months ago, and what a fool they were. This team has newfound hope, and the intention is for a significant playoff run. Grabbing Miller may have saved this season.
In 11 games since re-joining the club, he is second on the team with 14 points, seven goals, and seven assists, during that time frame. Another player that has been enjoying his return, is Mika Zibanejad, who has four goals and 11 assists over the past 11 games.
Miller has changed the landscape of this team and is proving to be worth bringing back. He had a drama-ridden year in Vancouver, but has found himself back in familiar surroundings and is thriving.
The Rangers needed him, desperately
It was evident that this team needed a spark. There was a sense that the organization was going to be deemed a big seller at the trade deadline on March 7, but now, the Rangers may be looking to buy.
If any other moves are made between now and March 7, it will not pale in comparison to the trade for Miller.
At $8 million AAV, he is going to be a bargain for the next six seasons. This time around is going to be a lot different than his first tenure with the Rangers.