Rangers Trying A New Look Top Pair With Adam Fox and K'Andre Miller

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Joshua Deeds
October 4, 2024 (4:17 PM)

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The New York Rangers will have to find a solution to the absence of warrior defenseman, Ryan Lindgren.

While there is a bit of a positive in the midst of all these injuries, as the Rangers are playing another exhibition game tonight.

The team will face off against the New York Islanders and can experiment with defense pairs and see what works.

Many prospects have gotten a look in Lindgren's spot, including Connor Mackey, Zac Jones, and Victor Mancini, and tonight that will change.

Even Chad Ruhwedel has been placed up and down the lineup to give Peter Laviolette an idea of where he could fit this season.

But now, the combination of Adam Fox, and K'Andre Miller could get a serious look tonight against the Isles.

They skated with the non-game group on Monday, and have spent a little over an hour on ice together last season(63:31 TOI).

«We're going to give it a look,» Laviolette said. «It's a lefty-righty combo. I feel like they're both top defenseman for us. We're looking to see. I think [Lindgren's injury] opened up something, you're not expecting that. Of course, there's injuries, they always happen, right? But then when something happens, you have the stability, and then something happens and you don't. And you got to find the right pieces and the right partners.

«It's really just an evaluation process. Mancini on the left, Ruhwedel on the left, maybe a Miller-Fox combination. Those things, we'll look at.»

This could be a case of where Laviolette experiments with the lineup one more time finalizing the roster for the season.

Laviolette should consider K'Andre Miller for the top-pair, as someone whose got the ability to shoot, but also be versatile enough to play a heavy physical game, along with his great skating ability.

He may not have the grit Lindgren, but could open up the ice for Fox while being just as lethal offensively.

Has all the physical tools to be a star. Skates very well for someone his size (6'4") and can join the rush. Has the traits to be effective in a shutdown role but has also shown offensive upside at the highest level. Is still learning positional play in the NHL and must cut down on his mistakes. Can benefit from having a partner who can play a mentoring role.