Major development surfaces from the New York Rangers practice regarding captain J.T. Miller

On Wednesday, Peter Baugh said Miller looked like a full go at practice in a full-contact sweater. That is the kind of small detail that usually means the return is close.

It also lines up with the recent injury track, because Miller has been on IR with an upper-body issue after taking a heavy hit from Nick Seeler against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Rangers have called him week to week, but the updates have steadily improved. Back on the Monday, Miller was cleared for contact but didnt play against the Utah Mammoth.

Miller's importance is obvious when you look at both the leadership tag and the production. He is the 29th captain in franchise history, he is 32, and he has 22 points in 35 games this season.

As the New York Rangers practice continued to became more clear that Miller should return for Thursday night's game, as he was seen taking reps on the second line with Vincent Trocheck and Jonny Brodzinski, along with taking reps with on the power play unit as well.

Miller is a straight-line puck carrier who forces defenders to turn, and that opens space for the second wave to attack the slot.

This timing matters even more because the Rangers are already juggling serious losses elsewhere, and they badly need their identity guys back in the room. With New York sitting 20-18-6, there isn't much slack left in the Metro race.

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