At this point, you’d think the Rangers would have a clear decision regarding Young Sensation. But instead, they find themselves in a difficult spot—either re-sign him this offseason or consider moving on.
Miller is a physically gifted 25-year-old defenseman, a former first-round pick who has logged 368 NHL games, mainly in a shutdown role. On paper, that’s the kind of player you sign long-term.
However, his development has plateaued, and his production has dipped over the last two seasons, raising doubts about whether he’s the kind of player the Rangers should commit to for the next seven years. There’s a risk he never fully figures it out.
Re-signing Him could pay off if he evolves into a reliable top-four defenseman. But it could also backfire if his inconsistency continues and he becomes a costly disappointment.
Trading him might yield a strong return from a team hoping to unlock his potential. Yet, if Miller reaches his ceiling elsewhere, it could haunt the Rangers for years as they search for a replacement.
This summer’s decision won’t be easy. Miller is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, coming off a $3.872 million AAV deal. He and his agent are likely aiming for a significant raise with unrestricted free agency just two years away.
ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski recently told the RINK RAP podcast, “I’d trade K’Andre. The growth just hasn’t been there. Maybe that’s due to the team’s defensive setup, but I’d move him now.”
The Forever Blueshirts staff weighed in:
Jim Cerny – Executive Editor
Ideally, the Rangers would give Miller a chance under a new coach before making a long-term decision. A one-year arbitration deal could offer more clarity, but it risks damaging the team-player relationship. His regression in puck control and decision-making is worrying, yet his high defensive zone usage and athleticism suggest untapped potential. If he pairs with Adam Fox, 30-40 points a year is reasonable. The best path may be signing a fair short-term deal—unless a trade offer is too good to pass up.
John Kreiser – Senior Writer
Miller has the physical attributes to be elite, but he’s always seemed to lack the mental aspect of the game. Even after some improvement midseason, it’s doubtful he’ll ever meet the expectations the team had. If a good trade offer arises, the Rangers should consider it.
Dane Walsh – Staff Writer
Miller is a high-risk, high-reward situation. While his point totals fell, so did those of many teammates. A short-term “prove-it” deal makes more sense than trading him away and watching him thrive elsewhere.
Tom Castro – Staff Writer
This is a difficult call. Miller has rare tools—size, mobility, skill—that should make him a cornerstone defenseman. But his decline over the last two years and ongoing struggles with turnovers are troubling. The Rangers can’t afford to keep waiting for him to improve, especially if it involves a hefty long-term commitment. Trading him now, while his value is still high, could be the safer long-term move as the team reshapes its defense.