A source familiar with the situation told The Associated Press that New York Rangers captain J.T. Miller is week to week with an upper-body injury.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced Miller’s injury status.
Miller’s potential selection for the U.S. Olympic team isn’t in jeopardy, according to the source. The roster deadline is Dec. 31, and the tournament begins Feb. 11.
The 32-year-old forward left Saturday’s game against Philadelphia with about eight minutes remaining. Miller took a big hit from Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler and landed awkwardly on the ice.
He appeared to favor his right arm or shoulder while showing signs of pain on the bench. Miller skated off to the tunnel for medical attention and didn’t return.
“You don’t want to lose any teammates,” center Mika Zibanejad said after a 5-4 shootout victory. “When you see your captain go down and you don’t see him come back that obviously becomes (a situation) for us to step up and everyone has to do a little more when a guy like that leaves. Just hoping everything is OK.”
Miller didn’t travel with the Rangers for Sunday night’s game at Nashville. Coach Mike Sullivan told reporters after the morning skate that Miller was still being evaluated back in New York.
Winger Artemi Panarin was reluctant Saturday to speculate on the severity of the injury.
“It’s pretty sad that he had to leave the game, but I hope that he’ll be all right,” Panarin said.
The Rangers reacquired Miller in a trade with Vancouver in January. The team named him captain before training camp.
Miller has 10 goals and 12 assists in 35 games this season.
He played for the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. Miller is considered a strong candidate to be one of the 14 forwards selected for the Olympics, given his all-around skillset.
