Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller has officially been activated off the injured reserve list, according to the NHL Media Site.
Miller was placed on reserve with an upper-body injury, following exiting the Rangers’ 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 11. While it is not fully clear when the injury was sustained, Miller was hit hard by Jordan Greenway in the second period of the matchup.
Hartford Wolf Pack defenseman Chad Ruhwedel was recalled in his place. He recorded three assists in eleven games with the Wolf Pack prior to being called up.
Miller, the Rangers’ first-round pick in the 2018 draft, has two goals and four assists this year and is a minus-five on the ice.
In Miller's place, Ruwedel played at St. Louis on Dec. 15, at Nashville on Dec. 17, at Dallas on Dec. 20 and versus Carolina on Dec. 22. He tallied one point in these games via an assist at Madison Square Garden against the Hurricanes.
As of Friday, Dec. 27, Ruhwedel has since been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack — likely as a result of Miller being activated.
The New York Rangers returned to practice following the holiday break at 11 a.m. on Dec. 27. According to Larry Brooks with the New York Post, Miller was active on the ice in Friday's practice.
Miller practicing, Ruhwedel is not. Per NYR, if Miller is activated off IR and makes trip, Ruhwedel will be assigned to Wolf Pack.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) December 27, 2024
The lines and pairings from the most recent practice are as follows:
55-23, 79-17, 18-4.
10-16-13; 20-93-91; 50-72-65; 84-39-26.
The Rangers (16-17-1) are currently tied for last place in the Metropolitan Division with the New York Islanders.
Following practice, head coach Peter Laviolette said to the media that despite the recent losses — the Rangers are still trying to remain fun and loose in the rink.
"I do think you need structure. I do think you need systems. you've got to bring some fun and some looseness back into the game as well," Laviolette said. "When it comes to open ice and attacking the game, the governor's off the golf cart. It's rip it and that's it"
This news comes ahead of the Rangers rapidly approaching matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Puck drop is slated for 6:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, Dec. 28.
Hopefully we'll see Miller return to the ice in Florida.