Rangers assign Miller to Hartford

With captain Ryan Callahan expected to return to the lineup Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings, the New York Rangers have sent forward J.T. Miller to their American Hockey League affiliate in Hartford.

The Rangers' first-round pick (No. 15) in the 2011 draft, Miller registered one shot and two penalty minutes in New York's season-opening 4-1 road loss to the Phoenix Coyotes Thursday night. The 20-year-old Ohio native had an eventful 2012-13 season. He made his NHL debut with the Rangers, posting two goals and two assists in 26 games, while also collecting nine points in seven games to lead Team USA to gold at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship.

In his first home game with the Rangers on Feb. 7, Miller wowed the Madison Square Garden crowd with two goals. But he has failed to score since that game.