The New York Rangers announced on Wednesday they came to terms with restricted free agent forward J.T Miller. Miller, 23, had filed for salary arbitration, but with the two-year extension that was agreed upon, arbitration has been avoided. He is estimated to make $5.2 million, a large raise from his previous contract that was worth $900,000.
Miller’s career with the Rangers has been an inconsistent one, to say the least. The 6’1 center has the size to be a mainstay in the NHL, but since his debut in the 2012-2013 season, Miller has been the product of a rollercoaster career as management bounced him between the Rangers and their American Hockey League affiliate Hartford Wolfpack. It wasn’t until this previous season that Miller was able to play a full 82-game season as an NHL regular.
He rewarded the extra playing time with an improvement in nearly all statistical categories. The 43 points he produced over the course of the year—22 goals and 21 assists—were career highs, and it showed Ranger management that there is still a very high ceiling for the youngster who has yet to reach his prime. When he displayed consistent use of his size, speed, and toughness, along with an underrated scoring touch, fans can see why the Rangers selected him as the 15th overall pick in the 2011 draft.
Though this is a victory for the Rangers in their attempt to retain their youthful players, it is but a minor one. At the heart of every championship team is a strong core to lead the group of players, and the Rangers have one in the making, with Miller being a strong component. But the rest—Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes, and Dylan McIlrath—are still unsigned as restricted free agents. Like Miller, they all have filed for salary arbitration at the end of the month. If the Rangers want to remain a contending team, they need to ensure these players will be donning the iconic blue sweater on opening day in October.
