New York Rangers: Top-10 prospects under 24
By Ed Stein
7. K’Andre Miller (19), Defenseman
The second of New York’s three 2018 first-round draft picks (22nd overall) is a player on the rise. At the University of Wisconsin, K’Andre Miller was one of the top-scoring defensemen in all of Division I, with 22 points last year. The total would have been higher had he not had his season cut short by a leg injury in February. Miller is expected to back to 100% for his sophomore season.
He is an intriguing prospect and one with a high ceiling. At 6-3, 200 pounds he has the size to physically dominate at the NCAA level, as well as the frame to be a force in the NHL.
Although he wasn’t an impact player for the United States at last year’s WJC, it can be chalked up to his youth and inexperience on the backend. Miller is a converted forward and has only been a defenseman for a little over a year. He posses high-end skating ability. Additionally, the Badgers star shows good offensive instincts. His defense, however, is a work in progress.
Given a few years to learn the position in college, Miller could be one of the top NCAA defensemen by the time he graduates. At his current pace of development, it very likely will likely happen. Miller eventually projects to a top-four defenseman and possibly higher.