Rangers 'testing the market' on longtime defenseman coming off down season

With new head coach Mike Sullivan at the helm, the New York Rangers are ready to begin the next chapter in their franchise’s story — one that may not include a key defender from recent seasons.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said on his "32 Thoughts" podcast that the Rangers are gauging trade interest in pending restricted free agent K'Andre Miller. Friedman compared Miller’s situation to that of the Sabres’ Bowen Byram, another young, high-pedigree defender who could benefit from a change of scenery. As Friedman notes, “It’s not a guarantee, but they are testing the market.”

The 25-year-old Miller is coming off a down year, mirroring the performance of many members of the Rangers core who disappointed this season. In 74 games, Miller scored seven goals, 27 points, and posted a zero plus/minus rating. While he tied his career high with 21:57 of ice time per game, Miller also set a career high with 97 giveaways. Moreover, his 107 hits and 110 blocked shots were his lowest totals since his rookie season.

GM Chris Drury will need to decide if trading Miller is the best move for the team, but if a trade doesn’t bring a defender back to New York, the Rangers will likely have to target the position in free agency. As the roster stands, the Rangers have five defensemen under contract for the 2025-26 season, which includes Adam Fox, William Borgen, Braden Schneider, Carson Soucy and Urho Vaakanainen. And like Miller, Matthew Robertson and Zachary Jones are set for restricted free agency, while veteran Calvin de Haan is set to become an unrestricted free agent.

While Miller didn’t have the season he’d hoped for heading into restricted free agency, he could benefit from playing under Sullivan, especially if the coach brings his patented style that helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win two Stanley Cups. In Pittsburgh, Sullivan favored a fast-paced style of play that relied on mobile defenders — something Miller excels at.