Performance bonuses be damned! The Rangers blue-chip prospect, K’Andre Miller has been impressing since he partook in the RTP camp last July.
It looks like the 2019 first round draft pick is ready to earn a spot on the team’s opening night roster.
K’Andre Miller playing his way onto to the team
“I thought K’Andre Miller was really good tonight,” David Quinn said. “He just moves so well, he takes up so much space, he’s got such a long reach, he closes on people quickly. His puck decisions, to me, have really been the surprise to all of us.”
The praise for Miller didn’t stop there. “We knew he made some good decisions, but to adapt as quickly as he has so far and again, let’s keep it in check, it’s bubble practices and now it’s training camp, but he’s certainly shown a lot of things you look for in a defenseman.”
With the Blueshirts looking for someone else to step up and play the left side Miller is making a push. Tony DeAngelo and Ryan Lindgren have locked up two out of the three spots and Miller may edge out Jack Johnson and Libor Hajek.
As far as third pair right defense, that may be Brendan Smith’s spot, but Tarmo Reunanen is also switching sides to make a play.
Miller is what every NHL team wants on defense
K’Andre Miller is the type of defenseman that all NHL teams covet. He is big and strong coming in at 6-5 and 210 lbs. More importantly, the 20 year-old has speed and uses his advantageous reach on defense. Coupled that with a strong hockey IQ and offensive abilities makes him a potential future star on the blue-line for a decade.
The big question many have is if Miller can make the Rangers in a short camp with no exhibition games? That remains to be seen, but it sounds like the deck is stacked for him to make it. When you add what Quinn is saying lately it just makes it more likely.
“I think he’s got a great chance,” GM Jeff Gorton replied when asked before camp about Miller. “His commitment this offseason has been great. He’s been here a longtime training, working skating, so we’re excited to see how he looks.”
Should Miller make the team, the Rangers would have to worry about how his performance bonuses could impact the cap. Of course, there are ways for them to leverage the taxi squad to make it work in their favor.
