ESPN's top insider, Greg Wyshynski, recently stated that if he were the GM of the Rangers, he would be trading K'Andre Miller due to a lack of growth.
By this point, you might expect the New York Rangers to have a clear decision on K'Andre Miller. What they actually have, though, is a tough choice this summer: re-signing the 25-year-old defenseman or possibly trading him away.
Miller checks most boxes. He's a big, physical former first-round draft pick who's accumulated 368 games in the NHL, almost exclusively as a shutdown defenseman. On paper, that resume typically deserves a long-term extension.
But there is hesitation. His development has leveled off, and his offense has fallen in the past two seasons.
With free agency looming, the question is whether to commit to him long-term and pray he develops into the consistent top-four defenseman they need.
Keeping Miller on board is worth it if he takes the next step in his career. But if not, the Rangers may end up with a pricey contract and a player who never performs to the best of his ability.
Top NHL insider from ESPN, Greg Wyshynski, stated that if he were the GM of the Rangers, he would initiate a trade.
'I would trade K'Andre,' ESPN's Greg Wyshynski told Forever Blueshirts on the RINK RAP podcast. 'I think the issue with K'Andre is that I don't think the growth has been there in the way I'd like it to be at this point in his career. Now, you can blame that on the state of the Rangers blue line, partners. I would move him at this point.'
A trade could also backfire if Miller breaks out with a different team
Conversely, sending him to another team can bring back precious assets from a team that's willing to bet on his upside. That bet carries its own risk: watching Miller succeed elsewhere while the Rangers scramble to fill the hole he leaves behind.
Miller is an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent off a $3.872 million AAV deal. His club may attempt to negotiate with him into a big contract, aware that unrestricted free agency is just two years away.
The decision isn't simple, and it could shape the Rangers' blue line for years to come.
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