J.T. Miller has been a target of the New York Rangers for a long time. Yesterday, it seemed that his return to Madison Square Garden was inevitable, but that broke down, with discussions now on ice regarding the future of the East Palestine, Ohio native. However, we know Chris Drury will keep trying to bring the former New York Rangers 1st-round pick back to the organization, so where would he slot in when he returns to the Garden?
Miller was a middle sixer in his first tour of duty with the Rangers. He can play both on the wing and at center, but he never showed quite what he has done as a Vancouver Canuck. Miller departed the organization in the same trade that sent Ryan McDonagh to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Since then, the Rangers have been looking for more scoring depth, and a reunion with their former player may make it better.
So where does he play?
Immediately, Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette can slide Miller between Alexis Lafreniere and Artemi Panarin in the usual Vincent Trocheck spot. Still, there's a case to not mess with the chemistry of that line. Perhaps the idea is to put Miller between Will Cuylle and Reilly Smith in the regular Mika Zibanejad role, but then that contract has to play in the bottom six. Maybe Mika goes on the wing next to Miller, or vice versa, and Smith drops to the fourth line?
This is with the assumption that none of the main roster is included in that trade to acquire Miller in the first place. That's unlikely but not impossible, as the Rangers have the cap space to take on Miller's contract without needing to move money back. It'll be interesting to see what happens between now and the trade deadline. New York will be an active participant, and with the Canucks looking to move Miller, there will be traction until he finds a new home.