It looks like JT Miller is set to return tomorrow when the Rangers travel to Minnesota to face the Wild. Miller has been out for 10 days or so with an upper body injury unrelated to his injury to start the season. Since Miller’s injury, the Rangers have won four of five and the new top line of Gabe Perreault, Mika Zibanejad, and Alexis Lafreniere have absolutely dominated at both even strength and on the powerplay. Naturally, that trio should stay together…
But they won’t, at least not on the powerplay. Miller will replace Perreault on PP1, a move that is a giant head scratcher. I don’t necessarily agree with Tyler that it’s a fireable offense, but Sullivan is actively taking something that is working and “fixing it.” The old phrase “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” apparently doesn’t apply to the team’s captain, who should know better. As should the coach.
There are two schools of thought. First, maybe this means the Rangers lose more games, helping their draft position. Second, this is perhaps proof that even Mike Sullivan–whom I still think is a top coach in the NHL–has his weaknesses. Inserting Miller into something that was working reeks of Peter Laviolette forcing Ryan Lindgren into the top pair, arguably the straw that broke the camel’s back with the Rangers that started this free fall into ineptitude.
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