If you’re upset with JT Miller, know that you are not alone. For those keeping score at home, Miller got hurt in preseason and has had an awful season to date. Despite being selected to Team USA, many were speculating he’d be placed on LTIR immediately after the Olympics and he’d hurt USA’s chances. Instead, he gave all of us a big slap to the face. Turns out he’s been healthy this whole time and appeared to be playing it safe to ensure he was on Team USA. The team paying his salary and named him captain got the short of the stick.
It’s very easy to be upset with JT Miller right now. He’s the captain of the team, but he’s giving horrible answers to the media, there are rumblings he’s at odds with his coach, and now it appears he made one of the most selfish decisions of all: The perception of choosing to dog it for the 48 games he’s played this season to ensure his health for the Olympics.
It’s understandable that everyone wants to play in the Olympics. But that doesn’t give the captain of the team the right to mail it in when he was a) just named captain, b) supposed to be the leader of a new locker room culture, and c) bring the Rangers back from the train wreck that was the 2024-2025 season. Miller has failed at all three.
Playing in the Olympics is fine. Partying and celebrating after is fine. Where it’s easy to be upset with JT Miller has nothing to do with those, but with his choices, actions, and lack of accountability leading up to the Olympics. Miller put his wants before his team, something no player should do, let alone the captain of the team.
It’s put up or shut up time for Miller. He no longer has any goodwill left with the fans. His act this year has already put him directly in the crosshairs of fan ire. If it weren’t for Conor Sheary having the audacity to play where the coach puts him, he’d be public enemy #1 among a large contingent of fans.
Just know that if you’re upset with JT Miller, you’re not alone. He’s the captain of the team, and he needs to start acting like it.