The New York Rangers are going to be without a top six forward for Sunday's game against the Nashville Predators, and although originally there was a lot of concern, the team feels like they've avoided the worst possible outcome.
J.T. Miller did not travel with Rangers to Nashville, expected to be week to week
Mike Sullivan addressed the media on Sunday and said Miller is "still being evaluated." His replacement will be a game time decision, but it won't be Adam Edstrom who still hasn't skated. For the time being Miller is not being placed on injured reserve, and it is a week-to-week injury that hopefully won't impact his Olympic chances.
The immediate impact of Miller being out of the lineup
Miller has appeared in 34 games this season for the Rangers, and was fourth on the team in points with 21. He's second on the team in goals with 10, and also had added 11 assists. The Rangers have a couple of options, and it could see Vincent Trocheck or Noah Laba get additional minutes. Miller had been used as a wing most recently, and there's always the chance that Zibanejad slots into that spot, and both Trocheck and Laba get additional minutes.
The projected lines without Miller have a trio of Artemi Panarin, Zibanejad, and Alexis Lafrenière on the top line, and a second line that includes Gabe Perreault, Trocheck, and Conor Sheary. Another alternative could see Sullivan reunite the line of Panarin, Trocheck, and Lafrenière, and then have a line of Perreault on the left, Laba in the middle, and Zibanejad on the right.
It is clear that Sheary hasn't been quite effective in the top six, and this scenario would see the Rangers reward Laba's strong play with a promotion. It would push Sheary back into the bottom six where he belongs, and would create an opportunity for someone else to play center. That could be an opportunity for Jonny Brodzisnki to skate on a third line with Will Cuylle and Brennan Othman, which would leave a fourth line of Sheary, Sam Carrick, and Matt Rempe.
While the loss of Miller is unfortunate for the interim, hopefully this time out of the lineup allows him to properly rest, and get back to being the best version of himself. He's been in and out of the lineup a few times this year, and it feels that he should have been out earlier this year after injuring his groin in training camp. It also might be in his best interest to not be named to the Olympic team, as that would give him multiple additional weeks to rest and prepare himself for what could be an important month of March as the Rangers push for the playoffs.