Rock and a hard place is an apt way to describe the position New York Rangers coach Mike Sullivan may soon face when it comes to team captain J.T. Miller.
Sullivan’s role as head coach of the United States men’s team for the 2026 Milan/Cortina Olympics gives him significant influence over roster decisions. Not long ago, Miller appeared to be a near lock to make the team, particularly after embracing a gritty, middle-six assignment for Team USA during the 4 Nations tournament in February.
That certainty has faded. Miller’s offensive output with the Rangers has dipped noticeably this season, raising questions about whether he still belongs among the U.S. Olympic selections. Once a point-per-game player, the 32-year-old center has managed seven goals and 18 points through 30 games.
That downturn puts Sullivan in an uncomfortable spot. He may have to tell his own captain that he didn’t make the Olympic team. The alternative is just as awkward: advocating for Miller’s inclusion over other players who might be more deserving, simply to avoid friction. Neither option is appealing.
“The whole thing with J.T. Miller, it’s more of a challenge then I thought it would be,” Elliotte Friedman stated Friday on the 32 Thoughts podcast. “I think he’s going to be on the U.S. team, but Miller’s played himself into a situation where you’re almost asking the question, ‘Should he be on the U.S. team?’ Like it’s a really tough spot on Sullivan because that’s his captain, and you want to take your captain, and you’re picking the team, and you’re worried about how Miller will handle it if he’s not going to be picked. But he’s really had a rough year.”
If Miller were left off the roster, it’s not hard to imagine how tense that conversation might be. It also raises concerns about how such a decision could impact Sullivan and Miller’s working relationship, and whether any lingering fallout could affect a Rangers team already battling to stay in the playoff race at 15-13-4.
“It is conjecture, so it’s hard to get into somebody’s heart, their mind, about how they feel about something like that,” NHL Network’s E.J. Hradek told Forever Blueshirts on the RINK RAP podcast. “I’m sure J.T. would be disappointed … the top players seemingly all want to compete in a best-on-best tournament, and J.T. Miller was part of Team USA at the 4 Nations.
“I ran into [Team USA general manager Bill Guerin] at an Islanders game at UBS Arena last week and, obviously, he keeps his cards close to the vest, but he said to me, ‘I’m going to have to deliver some tough news to a lot of good guys.’”
Even if Guerin, rather than Sullivan, were the one to break the news, it wouldn’t necessarily ease the strain between Miller and his coach.
There’s also a strong argument that the issue may resolve itself. Miller still brings value as a relentless, physical forward who can check top opponents and fill a shutdown role on the third or fourth line. That was exactly how he was used at the 4 Nations tournament, and it’s how he’s been deployed frequently by the Rangers this season.
His edge, intensity, and leadership are qualities that don’t always show up on the scoresheet, but they matter in short, high-stakes international competition.
“I think he’ll be there because I think they’ll look at it and say, ‘This is the team we’re going to need to beat Canada, and he can be that kind of player,’” Friedman said, before adding, “But it’s been harder this year for Miller, and less impressive, I think, for Sullivan, when it comes to him, than any of us expected.”
Hradek, however, sees a potential upside for the Rangers if Miller doesn’t go to the Olympics. Sitting out would give him several weeks of rest during February, which could be especially beneficial if he’s been playing through an injury.
“In the case of J.T., if he doesn’t get selected, he gets the rest. I think he’s been dealing with an injury for pretty much most of the season. It might serve to spur him on to have a really strong post-Olympic stretch, which would be great for the New York Rangers.”