It was recently reported that the New York Rangers were looking to add reinforcements to their roster, and Kiefer Sherwood was a player of interest to help bolster a group hampered with injuries. On Saturday the Blueshirts were blown out in Boston 10-2, and it is clear that the group has too many issues to try and save the season. J.T. Miller once again had a lot to say after the loss, and his words speak to just how bad things are going.
Miller's words are familiar, and it just speaks to how many times the Rangers have failed to deliver
The Blueshirts' captain returned to the lineup in a loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, and he spoke about having to play carefully. He's still playing at less than 100 percent, and he had an impact offensively with two goals in the loss. But that ultimately wasn't enough, and he was quick to put the loss on leadership.
Miller said, “That’s a game where you’re looking for leadership and I got to be better. It’s just unacceptable. Your leaders shouldn’t let games – and I’m talking about myself – get like that. Crowd should never be chanting ‘we want 10.’ Look within. Not try to point fingers and make excuses. It starts with myself and leadership to prevent games like that when you don’t have your best. To not get out of control and hang your goalies out to dry. There’s no point in bitching now. We’re going to let it soak and let it feel terrible inside of us. The only thing that matters is responding on Monday.”
The Rangers have a chance to respond, but it has gotten late early
The Rangers are home at Madison Square Garden on Monday and will take on the Seattle Kraken. It's a perfect opportunity to try and turn the page, but you can imagine the team will be under immense pressure to perform.
That's been the case all season long, and at this point of the season Miller shouldn't once again be talking about leadership, and him specifically, having to be better. The Rangers are well past the midpoint of the season, and it seems that they've not been able to learn from their mistakes. It was bad enough that the team was without Igor Shesterkin, and the team did a poor job supporting Jonathan Quick and later Spencer Martin who made his Rangers debut in the loss. Vincent Trocheck spoke about that type of effort over a week ago, and that the Rangers are at this point again is a bad sign.
"They just played harder than us. We've got to be able to be professional, prepared for the game and we have to be better. We have to try harder. We have to have more pride in ourselves."
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) December 22, 2025
- Vincent Trocheck on the Rangers being 0-6-1 in second halves of back-to-backs pic.twitter.com/lAeH5Bm0JB
The Rangers' play in Boston feels like a team that knows they aren't making the playoffs, and one that has all but officially quit. That is something that the team look to avoid this season by unveiling a "No BS" mantra, but they are where they are now. The bad luck with injuries hasn't helped, but other teams in the league have dealt with injuries and responded positively. The lack of overall depth and productive star power are why the Rangers are a team no longer worth saving, and it should only take a couple of more losses before the team officially waves the white flag.
Miller is correct in that there's no point in "bitching" now, but talk is cheap. If the Rangers once again have a poor showing on The Garden ice, what else will be left to be said? New York will be heading to the West Coast pretty soon, and maybe that extended trip away will allow the team to reset and bond together. It may also be more of the same, and for now, fans can only watch what unfolds, but no one would blame them if they stopped tuning in to protect their peace.