The NY Rangers have been not-so-secretly shopping RFA defenseman K’Andre Miller this offseason. The 25-year-old has seemingly drawn interest from teams around the league. But one club that stands out is the LA Kings.
The Fourth Period links the Kings as an interested suitor for the NY Rangers’ defenseman on its Summer Trade Watch List. Now, the Fourth Period makes an interesting point in that the Rangers don’t have to trade Miller. But they are looking at what’s out there.
Similarly, Miller’s name is included in insider Nick Kypreos’ Off-Season Trade Board. Kypreos highlights how the Ranges are faced with deciding to sign Miller to a bridge deal or go long and ink him to a big extension.
But the Rangers are not sold on Miller living up to their expectations following a down-year this season. Beyond doubts the team may have about Miller’s ability, Kypreos notes that New York could move Miller anyway as a means of shaking the club up.
It’s worth noting that the Rangers became just the fourth team in NHL history to miss the playoffs following a Presidents’ Trophy season. So, it could make sense that the Blue Shirts want to move Miller to light a fire.
What could NY Rangers expect in return for K’Andre Miller?
Determining the return for Miller is a question of perspective. In the LA Kings’ case, the team could view Miller as a replacement for UFA Vladislav Gavrikov. Gavrikov was a workhorse for the Kings this past season. So, the Kings will want someone who can chew up significant minutes.
Plus, Miller is a solid all-around defender with some offensive upside. His physical style is also something that the Kings could be looking at closely.
That assessment could land the NY Rangers at least a second-round pick plus a prospect in return. The Kings have their first-rounder but don’t have a second. With the Kings slated to pick 24th, a first-rounder on its own won’t get the needle moving.
One intriguing name is Jordan Spence. The Fourth Period lists Spence on its Trade List, citing a surplus of right-shot blue liners as a motivation to move the 24-year-old. So, it seems that a Miller-for-Spence deal with other parts involved could get the deal between the NY Rangers and LA Kings.
Looking at K’Andre Miller’s Fit with LA Kings
K’Andre Miller looks like he could slide into the top-pairing with Drew Doughty in LA. Miller could play on Doughty’s left side, potentially sliding Mikey Anderson to the second pair with Bradnt Clarke.
Meanwhile, Joel Edmundson would slip down to the bottom pair where he’s more suited at this point in his career. That sort of shuffling could work for the Kings, allowing the team to consistently roll out three pairings.
Miller also projects as one of the main penalty killers and will be looked upon to play crucial defensive minutes. That situation could prompt Kings coach Jim Hiller to deploy Miller in a second-pairing role with Clarke in a type of shutdown pair.
Ultimately, neither the LA Kings nor the NY Rangers are forced to make a trade. But the Kings are looking to upgrade while the Rangers are unsure about Miller. Thus, a trade could work out here for both sides.
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