With his wedding coming up in little more than a week, New York Rangers centerman J.T. Miller has just agreed to a two-year, $5.5 million contract extension. This deal will allow the Rangers to hold on to Miller, who will likely be a top-six player in the coming season, while also maintaining useful cap space. Miller was a restricted free agent.
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J.T. Miller Inks Two-Year Contract Extension
Miller is coming off of his first full season with the Rangers after being drafted 15th overall in the 2011 Draft and spending the past few years alternating between the AHL, the Rangers, and the United States World Junior Championship Team. In his first full season, Miller impressed fans and club management alike, accumulating a total of 43 points in the form of 22 goals and 21 assists. In this span, he was one of only two forwards to play in all 82 games and managed to lead the team in even-strength and game-winning goals. Furthermore, he was one of the few bright spots in the Rangers’ dismal postseason, tallying three assists in five games before bowing out to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins.
By signing him to a short, inexpensive contract, the Rangers should benefit greatly. If Miller performs up to expectations, the contract will look like a steal. If he regresses and fails to recreate his totals from last season, the abbreviated nature of the contract means that it won’t negatively impact the team. On the other hand, a contract with an average annual value of $2.75 million is good money for a player coming off of his first full year, and a replication of that sort of form over the next two years could earn J.T. Miller a much longer and more lucrative contract if he chooses to stay in New York.
All told, the Rangers have offered Miller an extremely valuable wedding present, and if last year is any indication of his trajectory, he is highly likely to reward their confidence.
Josh Jooris Signed, Dylan McIlrath and Tommy Hughes Re-Signed
The Rangers made a trio of other moves on Friday.
The team signed centre Josh Jooris, formerly of the Calgary Flames, as a free agent. Jooris had 12 goals and 24 points as a rookie in 2014-15 with the Flames. However, he couldn’t follow up that strong season and only had four goals and 13 points last year. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms with free agent forward Josh Jooris.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) July 15, 2016
The Rangers also re-signed two other RFAS, getting defenceman Dylan McIlrath to a one-year, $800,000 deal (one-way); and defenceman Tommy Hughes to a one-year $632,000/$65,000 deal (two-way).
Main Photo: NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 23: J.T. Miller #10 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal at 7:04 of the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden on December 23, 2013 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1 in the shootout. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
