FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — J.T. Miller will need a mighty long stick to help the Rangers break out of their scoring drought Wednesday night in Sunrise, Fla., against the Panthers.
That’s because the 20-year-old winger will be in Hartford, playing for the Wolf Pack against the Portland Pirates. Miller was assigned to the AHL on Tuesday morning after sitting out the Blueshirts’ last four games as a healthy scratch.
“I haven’t been able to figure out exactly what J.T. is,” coach Alain Vigneault said following practice. “Is he a top-six, a third- or fourth-line guy?
“He is a young player with a tremendous amount of upside,” Vigneault said. “How his development will unfold, I’m not sure, but I am sure he can’t develop not playing.
“I want to get him the minutes a young player deserves.”
Miller recorded one goal and one assist in 15 games with the Rangers, getting 11:06 of ice per match. The 2011 first-rounder registered four points (2-2) in 26 games last year.
Vigneault, whose team has scored a sum of nine goals in going 3-4 over the last seven games, including Monday’s 5-0 loss to the Lightning, said he is mulling whether changes in the lineup are necessary.
Taylor Pyatt, who has missed eight games since suffering a concussion on Nov. 7 in Columbus, is the lone spare forward on the roster.
“If we need him, he’s ready to play,” said Vigneault.
With Miller sent to the Wolf Pack, Vigneault said he is mulling the possibility of inserting Pyatt into the lineup Wednesday against the Panthers.
Pyatt would presumably supplant either Brian Boyle (one goal in 24 games) or Benoit Pouliot (no goals in the last 13 matches). Pouliot skated with Derick Brassard and Ryan Callahan in practice.
The Rangers, 0-for-6 on the power play in Tampa and 3-for-21 over the last six games, shifted their man-advantage units. Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi were the point-men on the first unit with Brad Richards, Rick Nash and Callahan up front. Derek Stepan and Michael Del Zotto were on the points of the second unit with Brassard, Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello the forwards.
Vigneault, while praising Anton Stralman’s offensive capabilities in his own end, isn’t inclined to use the defenseman on the point.
“I’m not quite sure he’s power play material,” the coach said.