With the captain Ryan Callahan set to return Monday night, the New York Rangers had to send one man down to the AHL in order for them to meet the NHL roster requirements. That one man out happened to be J.T. Miller.
While it is disappointing to see Miller sent down, the move is smart for the future of the organization. Miller was most likely going to be on the fourth line or a healthy scratch once Callahan returned; there is no need to keep him there. Sending him down gives him the opportunity to play 20 minutes a night, and it might also be a good thing that he will get to play with Chris Kreider. If those two can begin to develop chemistry with one another, it gives them the chance to grow. Both players are apart of the long term future of the team.
Miller will most likely appear at the NHL level again this season; injuries happen and he will be asked to make contributions for the Rangers. He will need to improve his game in the defensive zone in order to receive second or first line minutes when he gets called up again. Miller would have most likely made the team if he had not been injured early in camp.
There is no doubt to anyone that follows the Rangers that Miller is a big part of their future plans, but sending him down to the AHL is a smart move that will benefit both the team and the player.