{"id":84250,"date":"2020-08-31T09:27:10","date_gmt":"2020-08-31T13:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=84250"},"modified":"2020-08-30T22:28:21","modified_gmt":"2020-08-31T02:28:21","slug":"where-kandre-miller-fits-with-the-rangers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/08\/31\/where-kandre-miller-fits-with-the-rangers\/","title":{"rendered":"Where K’Andre Miller Fits With The New York Rangers"},"content":{"rendered":"

On March 16th, the New York Rangers<\/a> signed<\/a> prospect K’Andre Miller<\/a><\/strong> to an entry-level contract. He was picked with the 22nd overall selection in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The 6’5, 210 lbs defenceman from Saint Paul, Minnesota put up 29 points in 58 games with the USNTDP during his draft year. During the 2018-19 season, he transferred over to the University of Wisconsin where he put up 22 points in 26 games as a freshman, more than the likes of Zach Werenski<\/strong><\/a>, Mike Matheson<\/a><\/strong>, Jacob Trouba<\/a><\/strong>, Noah Nanifin<\/a><\/strong>, and Charlie McAvoy<\/a><\/strong>. In his sophomore year at Wisconsin, he put up 18 points in 36 games. He also recorded two assists in five games for Team USA at the World Junior Championships.<\/p>\n

Where K’Andre Miller Fits in New York<\/h2>\n

Defensive Concerns<\/h3>\n

If there’s one particular area of play where scouts and fans have worried about Miller, it’s his defensive play. Even before he was drafted, many mock drafts had him falling to the second round. This was largely due to the fact that he had only switched from a forward to a defenceman in highschool. This lead to questions regarding his defensive abilities.<\/p>\n

Not long ago, Miller came under fire after a costly turnover that led to Team USA’s defeat to Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships. While being trailed by projected 2020 first overall pick Alexis Lafreniere<\/strong><\/a>, Miller tried to force a play through the middle of the ice instead of playing it out of the zone using the boards and ended up giving the puck to Lafreniere who scored the game-winning goal for Canada. Although this was only one instance, those who have studied Miller’s game feel that his defensive awareness could use improvement.<\/p>\n

Vince Mercogliano conducted an interview with Miller’s coaches at Wisconsin<\/a>, including associate coach Mike Osiecki, who works with the defencemen on the team. Osiecki said “the biggest thing he has to get focused on as he gets closer to playing in the NHL [is] recognizing… when he should be reliable defensively and just be patient,” and that “he’s more of a power-play guy right now than a penalty killer.” Evidently, those who have watched him closely feel that progress still needs to be made in his overall defensive abilities.<\/p>\n

Signs of Encouragement<\/h3>\n

Due to the criticism he has received, it may seem that Miller’s defensive game is in need of a complete transformation in order to make it at the NHL level. However, that is far from the truth. Certain aspects of his defensive zone play are up to standard. While others, such as his man-to-man coverage and positioning, still need improvement. For example, he uses his large frame and long reach to shut down opposing forwards coming through the neutral zone and limit their space to make plays. He portrayed this as a Wisconsin Badger by leading all defensemen on the team in 5v5 zone entrance prevention rate, breaking up 46% of zone entrance attempts.<\/p>\n

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