K’Andre Miller has steadily emerged as one of the New York Rangers’ most promising young defensemen. As a key part of the team’s blue line, Miller’s combination of size, speed, and two-way play makes him an invaluable asset. However, his current ice time doesn’t fully reflect his impact on the team. Here’s why Miller deserves more playing time, backed by his stats and on-ice contributions.
1. Defensive Consistency and Physical Presence
At 6’4″ and 215 pounds, K’Andre Miller brings a unique blend of size and agility that few players on the Rangers’ roster can match. His physical presence on the ice lets him shut down opposing forwards and win battles along the boards. Miller has played the same amount of games during his 2022-23 campaign (79) compared to his current (80) playing time, yet the statistical differences are remarkable.
During the 2022-23 season, Miller posted 152 hits taken and 72 blocked shots, both of which ranked in the top three among Rangers defensemen. His ability to effectively defend against the rush and protect the net in front of Igor Shesterkin has been crucial to the Rangers’ defensive schemes. While the number of hits decreased in the subsequent season, he stepped up in the blocking area with 121 hits and 95 shots, showing an increase in efficiency as a defensive player and willing to take more pain for his team.
Despite his size, K’Andre Miller skates with exceptional mobility, often using his speed to close gaps and recover quickly, helping the Rangers transition from defense to offense. This defensive reliability is reflected in his positive plus/minus rating of +12 in the 2022-23 season, demonstrating that the team tends to control play when he’s on the ice. This rating has since never decreased during subsequent seasons.
2. Offensive Upside
While Miller is primarily known for his defensive skills, his offensive game has taken significant strides since he joined the league. In 2022-23, Miller set career highs with 9 goals and 42 total points. His ability to contribute in the offensive zone, especially during even strength, makes him an important piece for generating scoring chances outside of the power play. This was cemented in the 2023-2024 season, as Miller decreased his points to 8 goals and 30 points, but increased his iXG (individual expected goals from) 6.99% to 8.25% and Fenwick’s shooting percentage from 4.26% to 5.3%.
While the total number of shots and goals went down when comparing the two seasons (164 to 152) this shows that Miller is learning more and more to pick his battles and when it is a good opportunity to shoot rather than always doing so.
3. Possession Metrics
The only thing one could hold against K’Andre Miller’s underlying metrics is his Corsi For percentage (CF%), which in 2023-2024 stood at 47%. This means that the Rangers controlled the puck less when he was on the ice, and showed a negative change from 2022-2023 when the CF% stood at 50%. Given that his offensive metrics, such as shooting talent above average (up from 17 to 18%), have seemingly only increased over time.
It is fair to conclude that most of Miller’s development has been in the offensive arena (or that is the utilization of him as a player) and the defensive metrics have taken a hit as a consequence. This does not present an argument against him as a player. It rather shows that coaching and using him for offensive possessions could be key when taking the Rangers further.
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4. Growing Maturity and Poise
At just 23 years old, K’Andre Miller has displayed remarkable composure and maturity beyond his years. Miller has proven he can handle the responsibility in high-pressure situations, such as penalty kills and late-game defensive shifts. His poise with the puck under pressure is critical for a team like the Rangers, who often rely on quick breakouts and transition plays.
As Miller gains more experience, he is more comfortable reading plays and making sound decisions, which is vital for a defenseman who will inevitably face more minutes against top-tier opponents. His giveaways per 60 minutes have decreased over time, signaling his growing maturity and confidence in handling the puck.
Why would K’Andre Miller get more ice time?
K’Andre Miller has consistently proven his value to the Rangers on both ends of the ice. His combination of defensive reliability, offensive upside, and strong possession metrics make him a key player in the Rangers’ long-term success. With more playing time, Miller has the potential to become an elite, all-around defenseman capable of handling the toughest assignments while continuing to grow as an offensive threat. By increasing his minutes, particularly in 5-on-5 situations and potentially on the second power-play unit. The Rangers can maximize Miller’s impact and help unlock his full potential, given his continued development and his strong performances so far.
