Implications of K’Andre Miller’s new deal with the New York Rangers
The New York Rangers announced Tuesday that they re-signed restricted free agent K’Andre Miller to a bridge deal (two years) worth $7.74 million, with a $3.8 AAV. Besides Adam Fox, the 23-year-old Miller is one of the pillars of the Rangers’ defensive corps and could be the type of player that only gets better with age.
Miller has missed just three games since the start of the 2021-22 season and, in the same time frame, has grown into a hitting machine averaging 156 a year. Furthermore, he’s a young guy who isn’t afraid to put his body on the line, with 277 career blocks in 214 games.
Considering Miller has impressed throughout his three-year entry-level deal, it makes sense that general manager Chris Drury didn’t ink him to an extended (four or six-year) contract. Instead, he offered a significant pay increase for two years to allow him to develop further and earn an even bigger payday next time.
The significance of K’Andre Miller staying with Rangers?
Last year when the Rangers were battling the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils for the Metropolitan Division title, Miller was one of the major contributors to the team, finishing in third place with 107 points. When examining the statistics of New York defensemen, he ranked second in points (43) and assists (34), fourth in blocks (105), and second in hits (162).
Under former head coach Gerard Gallant, Miller grew from a player with the potential to be a star skating with captain and veteran Jacob Trouba on the team’s second pairing. Although he will be listening to a new voice in Peter Laviolette, the expectations to take his game to another level will be high heading into 2023-24.
Rangers salary cap numbers after K’Andre Miller deal
Realistically, most fans love when a player outperforms his salary, so Miller heard all the praises while making just $925,000 a year. However, now that he’s making $3.8 million, fans will expect him to produce for the raise he received. Despite being one of the top defenders on the team, if he has a slow start or goes long stretches without big plays, the New York fans and media will be quick to point it out.
Miller still has much to prove and will want to ensure his next deal is longer with an even bigger pay increase. He will look to impress his new coach and work towards being one of the top defenders in the league. Moreover, the Rangers believe in his potential because he is now the third-highest-paid defender on the list and the seventh-highest player on the team.
Miller is one of seven players originally drafted by the franchise who hope to win a Stanley Cup with a core of homegrown talent. According to CapFriendly.com, after today’s deal, the Rangers have $2.3 million left in cap space, with only former first-overall pick Alexis Lafrenière left to re-sign.Â
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