As summer transitions into fall and hockey season starts to make its return, it’s a great time to revisit the stories of two New York Rangers players who started with similar potential but took different paths in their careers. Chris Kreider was selected 19th overall in the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Rangers.
Meanwhile, J.T. Miller was drafted 15th overall in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, with the hope that he would add depth to the Rangers’ roster. Kreider has since become a cornerstone of the Rangers, establishing himself as a key player for the franchise.
On the other hand, Miller didn’t quite meet expectations during his time with the team but eventually found success after being traded. Yet, before their careers diverged, they were just two young American players aiming to make their mark with the organization.
Kreider’s journey with the Rangers began when he signed an entry-level contract after completing his collegiate career. During the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs against the Ottawa Senators, Kreider was initially a healthy scratch for the first two games. However, he made his NHL debut in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on April 16, 2012, after Carl Hagelin was suspended for three games.
In his debut, Kreider played just over 11 minutes, registering one shot on goal and one hit. Though his ice time was reduced in the subsequent games, he remained in the lineup and eventually found himself on the second line in Game 6 as a replacement for Brian Boyle. In his fourth career playoff game, Kreider scored his first NHL goal, which was the game-winner, helping the Rangers avoid elimination.
Miller joined the Rangers organization for the 2012–13 season. After starting the season with the AHL’s Connecticut Whale, he was called up by the Rangers on February 5. It didn’t take long for the 19-year-old World Junior standout to make an impact in his Madison Square Garden debut.
In just his second NHL game, Miller scored his first career goal with the very first shot of the game, just one minute and twenty-nine seconds into the first period. He added another goal in the second period on a breakaway, helping the Rangers secure a 4-1 victory over the Islanders at MSG.
Miller had already made a name for himself at the World Junior Championships in Ufa, where he played a key role in Team USA’s gold-medal win, contributing two goals and seven assists. He had also been consistently scoring in the AHL before joining the Rangers.
The Rangers had high hopes that Miller would bring the scoring touch he showcased in Juniors and the AHL to the NHL level, but various factors prevented that from fully materializing. This ultimately diminished his value, leading New York to include him in a trade to Tampa Bay during their rebuild.
Since then, Miller has carved out a successful NHL career, proving his talent. Still, one can’t help but wonder what might have been if he had reached his current level of play a year or two earlier while still with the Rangers.
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