The New York Rangers are heading into a pivotal offseason after failing to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Significant changes are expected, and one of the key decisions will involve the future of defenseman.
He, a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer, is in line for a sizable pay increase. However, determining his next contract isn’t a straightforward task. Although the 25-year-old has plenty of talent, his inconsistency on both offense and defense could make the Rangers hesitant to commit to a long-term deal.
This past season was a rough one for Him. His offensive output dropped for a second consecutive year after a standout 43-point season in 2022-23. While his 27 points this season aren’t alarming on their own, his lapses in defensive play — often at critical moments — became a recurring issue.
Despite the uncertainty, Miller has expressed a desire to stay in New York, though he’s realistic about the possibility of being traded.
This one surprised everybody in the building.
What a shot by K'Andre Miller pic.twitter.com/7Mv0aTxnlJ
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) April 3, 2025
“It’s tough to say what’s ahead for me, but I’ve got a great agent who’ll help me through this summer,” Miller said during Monday’s locker cleanout. “I’ve loved my time as a Ranger — these past five years have been some of the best of my life.”
A first-round pick in 2018, Miller made his NHL debut in 2021 and has been a mainstay in the team’s top-four defensive group, contributing to two deep playoff runs to the Eastern Conference Final.
“I love New York — I don’t want to be anywhere else,” Miller added.
Still, this summer is shaping up to be anything but simple for him or the Rangers. Major roster changes are likely before the 2025-26 season begins. The shake-up has already started, with head coach Peter Laviolette being dismissed on Saturday — the third coach to be let go during Miller’s tenure with the team.
“We’ve had three coaches in five years since I got here. That kind of turnover isn’t easy,” Miller said. “Each coach brings different strategies and systems, so adapting hasn’t always been smooth. I really appreciated our coaches this year — they stood up for us and took a lot of the pressure off.”
‘Weird season’ made it tough on K’andre Miller ahead of potential free agency
Miller started the season on the top defensive pair with Adam Fox due to Ryan Lindgren being sidelined with a jaw injury. Once Lindgren returned, head coach Peter Laviolette moved Miller back to the second pair alongside his usual partner, Jacob Trouba. However, after two trades in December, Miller was paired with newcomer Will Borgen.
“I wasn’t happy with how I started the season,” Miller admitted. “I was paying too much attention to outside noise and not playing the way I wanted. It was tough to get a feel for my game and find consistency.”
“It was a strange season. Coming off winning the Presidents’ Trophy, then going through so many changes shortly after. We did a lot of things well last year and set ourselves up for success this season, but we didn’t reach the level we aimed for.”
Eventually, Lindgren was traded, along with forwards Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil, and Reilly Smith. The flurry of roster changes disrupted team chemistry and made the Rangers look quite different from the squad that had reached the 2023-24 Eastern Conference Final.
“With all the trades, the noise surrounding them, and the constant coming and going of players, there were just a lot of things out of our control,” Miller said.
As for this offseason, Miller faces more uncertainty. The Rangers could choose to trade him—likely getting a solid return given his size, skills, experience, and upside.
They might also pursue a short-term bridge deal, possibly two years, that would lead him into unrestricted free agency if they’re unsure about a long-term commitment. Alternatively, the team could offer him a long-term deal with a substantial raise, which is what Miller would prefer.
Right now, though, it’s unclear what general manager Chris Drury and the front office will decide. Whatever they choose, Miller’s future is one of the biggest questions facing the Rangers this offseason.
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