HUGE BLOW: Rangers PR Department Release Another Terrible News

Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller has been officially activated from the injured reserve list, as confirmed by the NHL Media Site.

Miller was placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury after leaving the Rangers’ 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 11. Although the exact timing of the injury is unclear, it’s believed to have occurred following a hard hit from Jordan Greenway in the second period.

During Miller’s absence, Hartford Wolf Pack defenseman Chad Ruhwedel was called up to fill the gap. Ruhwedel, who had three assists in 11 games with the Wolf Pack before his recall, played in four games for the Rangers: at St. Louis on Dec. 15, at Nashville on Dec. 17, at Dallas on Dec. 20, and at home against Carolina on Dec. 22. He contributed one assist in the game against the Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden.

Miller, a first-round pick in the 2018 draft, has recorded two goals and four assists this season and holds a minus-five rating.

With Miller’s activation, Ruhwedel was reassigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack as of Dec. 27. The Rangers resumed practice that same day at 11 a.m., following the holiday break, and Miller participated fully, according to Larry Brooks of the New York Post.

 

 

 

The New York Rangers’ most recent practice featured the following lines and pairings:

Defensive Pairings:

• 55-23
• 79-17
• 18-4

Forward Lines:

• 10-16-13
• 20-93-91
• 50-72-65
• 84-39-26

The Rangers (16-17-1) are currently tied for last place in the Metropolitan Division with the New York Islanders.

Despite the team’s recent struggles, head coach Peter Laviolette emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between structure and enjoyment on the ice.

“I do think you need structure. I do think you need systems,” Laviolette told reporters after practice. “But you’ve got to bring some fun and looseness back into the game as well. When it comes to open ice and attacking the game, the governor’s off the golf cart. It’s rip it and that’s it.”

The Rangers are gearing up for their next matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, set for Saturday, Dec. 28, with puck drop scheduled for 6:00 p.m. EST.