The New York Rangers’ 2024–25 season was a train wreck, after finishing with a record of 39-36-7, and failing to make the playoffs. Now, the New York Rangers’ gritty forward is doing something else after his team’s playoff dreams crashed and burned. No postseason hockey? No problem. New York Rangers J.T. Miller has got his eyes on something else altogether.

In late January, Miller returned to New York Rangers—where he launched his NHL career as a 2011 first-round pick—through a blockbuster trade from the Vancouver Canucks. The deal, fueled by a public feud with Canucks star Elias Pettersson, brought Miller back after six seasons away. But with no postseason hockey, he’s now swinging for a new prize: Oakmont’s iconic fairways.

The official X handle of B/R Open Ice posted this news on 22nd April, 2o25. The tweet said, “Rangers forward J.T. Miller is trying to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont. He currently has a listed 0.2 HCP index 👀.” Miller’s not alone in this quest, joined by big names like former NFL stars Tony Romo and Danny Woodhead, all vying for a spot in the June 12–15 major. Qualifying rounds, running April 16 to May 19, are his ticket to compete with golf’s best, like Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau.

Oakmont Country Club is in Pittsburgh, Miller’s hometown turf. Raised in East Palestine, Ohio, he played youth hockey with the Pittsburgh Hornets. So qualifying at Oakmont would be a storybook moment. This isn’t Miller’s first swing at the U.S. Open either—he tried qualifying in Pittsburgh in 2022 and 2023, posting a 6-over 78 at Nevillewood last time.

Miller’s no slouch in competition, racking up 70 points in 72 NHL games this season. Whether he punches his ticket to Oakmont or not, his shift from hockey heartbreak to golfing ambition is the kind of sports saga that hooks you. Keep an eye on J.T. Miller in the qualifying rounds—he might just end up using his golf club for longer than people expect him to. What’s more? A change of scene on the golf course could help him adapt to the changes happening over at the Rangers camp.

New York Rangers make coaching changes after a disastrous season

The New York Rangers are once again searching for a new head coach, marking their fourth since the 2020-21 season. On Saturday, the team announced the dismissal of Peter Laviolette, who failed to guide the Rangers to the playoffs in his second year with the organization. Laviolette, a veteran coach, concludes his tenure with a regular-season record of 94-59-11 and a 10-6 playoff record. This marks the sixth NHL team to both hire and fire the experienced coach, who made history as the first to lead six different franchises to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Alongside Laviolette, associate head coach Phil Housley was also relieved of his duties. Assistant coaches Dan Muse and Michael Peca, however, will have the opportunity to interview for positions on the next coaching staff, according to a source. The rapid turnover in coaching is not new for the Rangers, as Laviolette’s predecessor, Gerard Gallant, was also let go after just two seasons. Before Gallant, David Quinn (2018-2021) was the last Rangers coach to remain behind the bench for more than two years.

The 2024-25 season was a significant regression for the Rangers, who missed the postseason. The team struggled across all facets of the game, a stark contrast to their previous successes under Laviolette, including a deep playoff run in his first year. The meltdown was apparently triggered when GM Chris Drury practically forced veterans Barclay Goodrow and Jacob Trouba out of the squad. Of the veterans who remained, most put up lackluster performances. Kaapo Kakko, who was ultimately traded to the Seattle Kraken, felt that some veterans were getting the preference over him despite not being as good. “I know we’re losing games, but I think it’s just easy to take the young guy and put him out,” Kakko said.“I have not been the worst guy, but that was me out of the lineup.” Similar feelings were echoed by young defenseman Zac Jones. Having been scratched for a fairly large number of games, Jones felt like he was “rotting away” in the Rangers camp.

As the Rangers look to rebound from this setback, the organization faces critical questions about its direction. The next coaching hire will be pivotal in restoring the team’s competitive edge, but addressing roster deficiencies and motivating core players will be equally essential. For now, the Blueshirts are at a crossroads, hoping a fresh voice behind the bench can spark a turnaround after a season to forget.