The New York Rangers' season was hot and cold to start things off, but they could take solace in them still being in the playoff hunt entering the New Year. Now a couple of weeks into January, the Rangers have waved the white flag on the season. Sensing that the playoffs are out of the question given their recent skid after the Winter Classic, general manager Chris Drury revealed that he is going to explore trades with certain players in an effort to acquire younger players and draft picks. It's effectively a rebuild, even if Drury and the Rangers don't want to call it that.
Artemi Panarin is an obvious name that will get traded, considering he is set to hit free agency after the season. Drury even confirmed that the Rangers would end contract extension negotiations as a result of this franchise pivot. Rangers fans are wondering who else will be traded in an effort to build a more sustainable roster that can win in the future. Rangers fans frustrated with a certain captain won't like the latest reporting.
During an appearance on TSN's Insider Trading, The Athletic NHL insider Pierre LeBrun said that one player on the Rangers who won't be traded is J.T. Miller. The reason behind that? He's not waiving his no-move clause.
"What I was told today is that Miller has no intention of waiving his no-move clause, and the Rangers have no intention of going to him and asking to waive it," said LeBrun. "They traded for him last year, they made him captain, and they still believe in the reasons why they made that move. Miller should not be part of whatever exodus of players leaves New York."
J.T. Miller has no intention of waiving no-trade clause despite Rangers' 'retool'
For those Rangers fans who haven't been thrilled with the job Miller has done so far this season, he's not going to be part of the "retool." He's going to be here for the rest of the campaign.
Miller was brought back to New York in hopes that he would turn the locker room culture around. There was a risk, considering his messy exit from the Vancouver Canucks. Yet, Drury and head cach Mike Sullivan named Miller captain before this season. Miller showed during training camp that the team is implementing a "No BS" motto. This team was supposed to be different.
Let's not forget that the majority of this roster was on the team last year when they notably regressed after making it to the Eastern Conference Finals the year prior. Last season, the Rangers missed out on the playoffs after going 39-36-7. As a result, the team fired head coach Peter Laviolette and replaced him with Mike Sullivan.
Yet, the same issues persisted, and Miller didn't win over many disgruntled fans.
On Jan. 10, fresh off their 10-2 loss to the Boston Bruins, the Rangers got off to good start, taking a 2-0 lead over the Seattle Kraken in the first period. Yet, New York no-showed the final two periods, and lost 4-2 to fans' frustrations.
Usually as a team struggles, the captain will usually try to calm the fears of fans. Well, J.T. Miller did the opposite. After the game, reporters asked Miller if there was a dip in energy after the first period. Miller said, "I don't know. I'm sorry. I don't know."
J.T. Miller was asked if there was a dip in energy after the first period:
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) January 13, 2026
"I don't know. I'm sorry, I don't know" pic.twitter.com/UFi0s6pxZC
That certainly wasn't what fans wanted to hear. Instead of a rallying cry or an answer that would calm down fans, Miller had nothing of substance to provide.
It's no coincidence that the Rangers entered a free fall after the Winter Classic without two of their best players in goalie Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Adam Fox. Yet the struggles have been consistent this entire season. Issues winning at home? Check. Inability to score goals? Check.
And here we are. The team is 5-13-4 at home and 2-7-1 in their last 10 games. Miller, meanwhile, has 13 goals and 19 assists for 32 points through 42 games.
The Eastern Conference was wide open, allowing the Rangers to have some hope to turn things around. Now, they have confirmed they will be sellers at the March 6 deadline. This is a team that needs an overhaul, but it's unsure just how much Drury is willing to commit to it. He built this roster, and he has the support of owner James Dolan. The Rangers may trade a Panarin or Vincent Trocheck, but Miller is officially off limits, based on the latest reporting.