Former Rangers forward won’t play Tuesday, takes indefinite leave from Canucks
J.T. Miller will not be in uniform when the New York Rangers visit the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday at Rogers Arena. The former Rangers forward is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the Canucks due to “personal reasons.”
“Right now, our sole focus is making sure that J.T. knows the entire organization is here to support him,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement released Tuesday.
Vancouver Sun reporter Patrick Johnston followed up soon after the news broke on social media that the leave is “not related to substance or alcohol abuse.”
The 31-year-old forward is tied for the Canucks lead with six goals this season and is second with 16 points, two behind team leader Quinn Hughes (18).
Miller was benched except for two shifts in the third period of Vancouver’s 5-3 loss to the Nashville Predators at home on Sunday. He had a season-low 11:49 TOI in that game.
“I went with the guys who I thought could get us back in the game,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said postgame. “We need some key guys to make key plays for us.”
Related: Rangers vs. Canucks: 3 things to watch for seeking 3rd straight win
J.T. Miller was 1st-round draft pick by Rangers in 2011
There’ve been rumors all season that Miller’s been playing hurt for the Canucks. That, though, would be a medical leave of absence not a personal one if it was the reason for him to step away from the Canucks.
Miller is in the third season of a seven-year, $56 million contract he signed with Vancouver before the start of the 2022-23 season.
The Rangers selected Miller in the first round (No. 15) of the 2011 NHL Draft. He played all or part if six seasons with the Rangers, and helped them reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2014, when they lost to the Los Angeles Kings in five games.
Miller appeared in 30 games that season, and in four Stanley Cup Playoff games, before taking on a larger role the next four seasons. He helped the Rangers win the Presidents’ Trophy in 2014-15 and scored 22 goals in consecutive seasons beginning in 2015-16. Miller was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning ahead of the 2018 NHL trade deadline, after the infamous Letter regarding New York’s rebuild was sent to the Blueshirts Faithful.
He was traded to the Canucks ahead of the 2019-20 season and has flourished with them. He scored 27 goals his first season and has three-straight 30-goal seasons heading into 2024-25. Miller set NHL career highs with 37 goals and 103 points last season, when he finished ninth in the League’s scoring race.
In 816 NHL games, Miller has 655 points (244 goals, 411 assists).
The Rangers seek their third straight win when they visit the Canucks on Tuesday. Vancouver is closing out a disappointing six-game homestand (2-3-0 so far).
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