J.T. Miller is back with the New York Rangers. A seismic trade for the Rangers lands them a star forward who has emerged as a genuine candidate for a 100-point season. Miller has developed into a star since leaving the Rangers, and bringing him back adds more production to a team that needs it. However, there is more to this than just the acquisition of Miller. This was the perfect response to Carolina's deal that landed them Mikko Rantanen.
That trade between Colorado and Carolina would always start an arms race in the East. Chris Drury responded by pulling off a deal to land a 100-point player. One who knows what it means to be a New York Ranger, one who knows what it takes to reach exponential heights, and one who will show emotion on and off the ice and make his voice heard in the locker room.
J.T. Miller has his warts. You can question how good a teammate he is, and his defensive game leaves plenty to be desired for teams that employ him, but the Rangers just landed a player who can thrive if the Blueshirts let him. Where he slides into Peter Laviolette's lineup will be interesting, but the Rangers response to the Carolina trade now has to start a chain reaction. Other teams will strengthen before the break for the Four Nations faceoff.
New York is a playoff hopeful, and the team has been playing much better since the start of the year. Now, teams like New Jersey, Columbus, Boston, Tampa Bay, and Montreal need to respond if they want to reaffirm their status as playoff contenders. New York just improved a roster that has already shown signs of reinvigoration, and the rest of the East will look to respond. Drury managed this well to get it done early and not let the rest of the league adjust.