Rangers eye long-term future with J.T. Miller after trade: Key part of our core

BOSTON — This was not a one-shot deal, not by a long shot.J.T.

Miller was not acquired to serve as a short-term band-aid. If the five years remaining on the nearly 32-year-old’s contract at an average annual value of $8 million didn’t tell you that, then Chris Drury, the general manager who pulled off the deal with Vancouver, did exactly that hours in advance of Saturday afternoon’s match against the Bruins. “It is certainly an exciting day and was an exciting night to acquire J.T.Miller, certainly one of the premier impact forwards in the NHL,” Drury said in a conference call with reporters.

“[He] brings a unique combination of skill, size and physicality to our team, and not just helps us here in the short term but will be a key part of our core moving forward.” Miller — acquired as the centerpiece of the deal in which Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini and a protected first-rounder went to Vancouver — slipped into the Rangers colors for the first time since Feb.25, 2018, when he scored a goal against the Red Wings at the Garden a day before he was traded to Tampa Bay in the ill-fated deal that included Ryan McDonagh. The Rangers, by the way, were on their charter flight to Vancouver when the deal was completed on that deadline day.

Miller was told of his fate when the flight landed. What goes around comes around, isn’t that what Mark Messier said one time? Miller is expected to fill in many of the emotional blanks the Rangers that has impaired the team this trying season.He is a straight-ahead guy.

There’s not a lot of gray to his game or his personality.The dynamic will change. “I think he’s going to have a terrific impact, not only on the ice but in our room,” Drury said.

“And not only for the remainder of this year but moving forward as a big piece of our core. “As you all know, he’s a terrific 200-foot player, plays both sides of the puck, [plays] both special teams, has a physical element and has a high level of com...