Chris Drury faces critical decision with pending RFA: Outcome will determine the Rangers future
Photo credit: Spectrum News
The New York Rangers will have to decide what the next steps with defenseman K'Andre Miller are. Miller is a pending RFA and could be signed long-term with the team if they decide not to trade him.
K'Andre Miller was drafted 22nd overall in the 2018 NHL draft by GM Jeff Gorton. He'd showcase his skills, as a physical defenseman, who has offensive upside, with great skating abilities.
He'd later make his debut during the shortened 2020-2021 NHL season, where he'd skate a total of 53 games, and now 343 into his career the Rangers are hamstrung on what to do next.
Miller, like other Rangers players, have failed to develop into elite players as GM Jeff Gorton thought they would. Now, with his elite status possibly out of question, what should the Rangers' next contract offer for him be?
Elite or Not?
Miller would take a step back production-wise, as his 43-point season in 2022-2023. He'd post 30 points in 2023-2024 and would have to step away for some time to deal with mental health concerns.
This season, we'd see a continuation of his disappointing play with Miller making unforced errors on the ice. While he'd only tally 13 points in 49 games for the Blueshirts.
His current $7.7 million dollar bridge contract will expire, and leave him at RFA status and arbitration eligible. The Rangers have to decide whether they're to keep him long-term, or trade him for an asset that they could use to build a Stanley Cup winning team with.
Trading him might be an easy route but given the timeframe it takes to develop defensemen, it might be simpler to pay him what he's worth now and let him continue to evolve. When he does reach his ceiling, it could be as a second-pair minutes-eating defenseman
There may be some contention in Miller's camp, as his agent Ian Pulver, also represented Barclay Goodrow will have some stats to back up a significant raise.
Through the season's first 28 games, Miller posted an expected goal share of 50.0 - respectably breaking even, with the Rangers also getting outscored 27-21 with him on the ice at 5-on-5, per Natural Stat Trick.
With Will Borgen helping Miller get comfortable on the second-pairing, and helping to increase the team's XG% on ice the Rangers and Miller's camp will have to find a compromise that works on both sides.
Both sides will need each other, as Miller could find suitors in July, but ultimately with the resources spent to trade him, it'd be best for him to be signed by the Rangers.
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