The New York Rangers were unable to handle the Nashville Predators in a sloppy game. Clearly, they are missing their captain, J.T. Miller, and there is a chance that this team will be missing him for quite some time.
The Rangers have since moved him to injured reserve, and that suggests things may not be as clear as they once seemed.
#NYR J.T. Miller is now going on IR https://t.co/NZZxZDQYaD
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) December 22, 2025
In the meantime, there are a couple of Rangers who can step up and, more importantly, have to step up to the challenge to cover one of their biggest losses. With superstar defenseman Adam Fox still out with an injury, a flu-like bug ripping both Matt Rempe and Gabe Perrault out of the lineup, and now Miller out for an extended period of time, there has to be someone who can lead the charge.
The help has to come from the offensive side, as the defense has been steadily adjusting to life without Fox. Let's talk about it.
Mika Zibanejad
As the longest tenured Blueshirt, Mika Zibanejad is the most likely candidate to step up in Miller's absence. He has had a fantastic year thus far, with 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points in 37 games. Over his last 12 games, he has scored five goals and added six assists for 11 points. He is starting to heat up, but with Miller gone, he has to turn the heater up a notch.
Will Cuylle
One of the more disappointing Rangers this season has been Will Cuylle. Especially after many thought that he would be the direct replacement for Chris Kreider, it hasn't been anywhere close.
Cuylle has nine goals and 10 assists on the year for 19 points. Not a terrible stat line, but the inconsistencies in the eye test have made it hard to believe that No. 50 is anything more than a one-hit wonder. He might have already reached his peak last season, and may not be able to replicate it once again. Stepping up with Miller gone is a great way to prove the doubters wrong.
Vincent Trocheck
Aside from Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck is the most likely player to step up in the leadership department. He is used in almost every situation on the ice and has been a focal point of the Rangers' offense since joining this team in 2022-23.
Trocheck, now that Miller is sidelined, is the main guy to talk to from the media. After the 2-1 stinker against Nashville, he might have had the comment of the season regarding their play. In retrospect, it could be a representation of how this season has gone when all things are said and done.
“It just looked f–king dead,” Trocheck said. “Just looked dead.”