K’Andre Miller is headed for a spell off the ice as the Rangers are placing the defenseman on IR with an upper-body injury.
Miller appeared to sustain the injury in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres, as he was not on the bench during the third period. The move was first reported by USA TODAY’s Vince Z. Mercogliano.
The move will keep the 24-year-old out through Dec. 18, and will likely miss the next four games for the Blueshirts as Miller will not travel for an upcoming road trip to Nashville and Dallas, according to Mercogliano.
It has been an up-and-down campaign for Miller, his fifth in New York. Through 28 games he has tallied six points (two goals, four assists) and is a minus-5 while averaging 21:21 time on the ice per game. This would be the first time in his career he has a minus rating. Alarmingly, he has already tallied 34 giveaways on the year, matching his tally in 80 games from a season ago.
In his stead, Connor Mackey will be the Rangers’ sixth defenseman. He has appeared in a single game this year, his first in New York, and is a plus-1 in 16:27 time on the ice. The 28-year-old Mackey has appeared in 40 NHL games, beginning his career in Calgary before he was dealt to Arizona last March.
Urho Vaakanainen, acquired in the Jacob Trouba trade last week, remains on the IR with an upper-body issue.
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