Player Discussion K'Andre Miller

[Levitate]

Literally Hedman type of potential. If not greater, since he's a better athlete.

I was ridiculed for saying it last year. He had the potential of being one of the top shutdown defenseman in the league... No shutdown defender has his toolbox. He smothers players. He literally made Crosby swing his purse out of frustration

You see the glimpses of every facet of the game.... and it's coming together. Hedman was not Hedman until his mid 20's. Don't forget that... and KAM was really raw as a defender... Point totals will be limited as well because of his PP usage.

He's untouchable and I'd try to lock him up long term when given the opportunity

Yeah Hedman is kind of an interesting comparison. Dunno if Miller will reach those point totals as you say but both big rangy guys with a lot of physical tools and all around skillset.

But in general a good reminder for people to be patient with young players (even Fox!) as they have their ups and downs and make adjustments. I wonder how Miller-Fox would work in the future, but that said it's kind of good to see how playing with Trouba has helped Miller progress as well

 

[egelband]

This fan base has wanted a rebuild for as long as I've been a fan of this team and they can't even be patient with a kid that a top 4 defenseman out of the gate.

To be fair, we’re not used to seeing prospects blossom so quickly.

 

[egelband]

Yeah Hedman is kind of an interesting comparison. Dunno if Miller will reach those point totals as you say but both big rangy guys with a lot of physical tools and all around skillset.

But in general a good reminder for people to be patient with young players (even Fox!) as they have their ups and downs and make adjustments. I wonder how Miller-Fox would work in the future, but that said it's kind of good to see how playing with Trouba has helped Miller progress as well

Fox-Miller seems right to me too. Maybe something they could try out in camp next season.

 

[LeetchisGod]

Fox-Miller seems right to me too. Maybe something they could try out in camp next season.

I don't like Lindgren-Trouba as a pair. They would lack foot speed and puck movement.

 

[will1066]

MANtis

 

[mas0764]

I don't like Lindgren-Trouba as a pair. They would lack foot speed and puck movement.

I think they are ultimately (2-3 years) both gone.

Fox, Miller, Schneider, Jones, and Robertson still here. If not Nils too.

 

[nyr2k2]

I've maintained since his freshman year that Miller was a special prospect whose tools, if they come together, were borderline superstar-caliber. It's why I've always rated him above everyone but Fox.

I'm still not sure if it will totally come together for him, but it's impossible not to be encouraged by the development we've seen from him. If he continues on this trajectory, the sky is the limit.

 

[egelband]

I don't like Lindgren-Trouba as a pair. They would lack foot speed and puck movement.

I’d consider Jones-Trouba actually. Give Jones some cover and let him do his thing. Same as Trouba has done for Miller. Lindgren-Schneider would be a killer pair and great for penalty killing.

 

[JimmyG89]

While rookies last year, this is the first season Miller and Laf are getting around the league, so there is a lot of learning going on.

I don't think it should be surprising that we're seeing that growth this season from both. You're not defending the same players over and over. You're going to learn some things and apply them to your game.

Miller has taken that stride. That dime to Vatrano was beautiful. No tunnel vision. He's physical and turning into a real shutdown defender. His size and skating is going to give forwards all kinds of issues. I don't think the league has a 6'5 guy like him that can skate. Hedman isn't as fast. Only league comparable I see is Tage Thompson.

 

[TheDirtyH]

He's developed into exactly what I hoped. He's a monster defender who can still move the puck at an acceptable level.

It's like trusting guys and letting them work through struggles helps their development or something.

not to mention having stable, capable linemates...

 

[Irishguy42]

He's blossoming in front of our eyes.

Stud.

 

[Narcissus]

Must be hard for all of the clown takes that were clamoring for him to be sent to the AHL earlier this year. Kid’s a stud

He was really horrible for the first 5-10 games. I’m happy that he’s gone from worst to best dman - based on current form.

 

[Blais to Win]

So he’s a “player“ now?

Cool.

 

[EdJovanovski]

While rookies last year, this is the first season Miller and Laf are getting around the league, so there is a lot of learning going on.

I don't think it should be surprising that we're seeing that growth this season from both. You're not defending the same players over and over. You're going to learn some things and apply them to your game.

Miller has taken that stride. That dime to Vatrano was beautiful. No tunnel vision. He's physical and turning into a real shutdown defender. His size and skating is going to give forwards all kinds of issues. I don't think the league has a 6'5 guy like him that can skate. Hedman isn't as fast. Only league comparable I see is Tage Thompson.

The Rangers are sooon to have another

 

[Gordon Bombay]

MANtis

Best thing Quinn ever did was don him the name Mantis.

 

[BKGooner]

Straight up beast. I love it when top players around the league try to iso on him and he shuts them down. Have him watching Chara and Pronger tape for using his stick and then body guys when they get inside his reach.

 

[Scor]

This kid has potential to be the teams number 1. Though I can't guarantee he'll put up huge numbers like Fox.

 

[McSauer]

Stud. Quickly becoming a franchise cornerstone.

Miller - Trouba would be a top pair on at least half a dozen teams, maybe more.

 

[Baby Punisher]

Gallant and the coaching staff deserve a lot of credit for developing Miller.

 

[BroadwayStorm]

A lot of you guys praising him now absolutely killed him every single time he turned the puck over or made a mistake. Really magnified his mistakes compared to an inferior prospect like Lindgren who f***s up all the time and gets a pass around here. I am glad he is making all of you eat crow. I have never seen such a tall guy be such a magnificent skater. And he is learning to use the body more. And he will continue to turn pucks over but with time will turn those rushes into highlight reel goals. He has a great accurate shot too. Always puts it on net.

 

[ThirdEye]

Think we can all agree the guy was a steal at 22. I think if he had been playing the D position all of his life he probably would have went top 10 with that combination of size and skating ability.

Rangers really nailed it moving up to get him and then Schneider a few years later.

Although it's somewhat of a double-edge sword, the fact that he'll never really get much PP time here will keep his cost down quite a bit.

 

[Raspewtin]

don't feel like bumping one of the old Trouba threads but since 2/1/2022 Trouba and KAM are 7th and 8th respectively in relCF% and 10th and 11th in relxGF% in the league for defensemen with at least 300 min. They've also played more at ES than Lindgren and Fox.

Pretty cool

 

[nyr2k2]

don't feel like bumping one of the old Trouba threads but since 2/1/2022 Trouba and KAM are 7th and 8th respectively in relCF% and 10th and 11th in relxGF% in the league for defensemen with at least 300 min. They've also played more at ES than Lindgren and Fox.

Pretty cool

Trouba is really earning his contract. His physical play has created some game-changing moments and is a real boost. Key's growth curve is like a straight line at a 45 degree angle.

 

[duhmetreE]

I'd give him an 8 year contract as soon as possible, take him to 31

His offensive numbers will never be gaudy because of the lack of PP pts. But he could be an annual 40-50pts shutdown defenseman aka true #1.

 

[QJL]

Where does K’Andre go in a 2018 redraft?

1. Dahlin
2. Svechnikov
3. QHughes
4. Miller???
5. BTkachuk