The New York Rangers have secured the services of one of their most promising young defensemen, K'Andre Miller, for two more years. The team announced on Wednesday that they have signed Miller to a two-year contract extension that will keep him in the Big Apple through the 2024-25 season.
The Rangers selected Miller, 21, in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut last season and quickly established himself as a reliable and versatile blueliner, playing in all 56 games and averaging 21:04 of ice time per game. He finished the season with five goals and seven assists for 12 points, ranking third among rookie defensemen in goals and fifth in points.
Miller's contract extension is worth $4.55 million per year, according to CapFriendly.com. The deal buys out two years of Miller's restricted free agency and gives him a significant raise from his entry-level contract, which paid him $925,000 per year.
The Rangers are clearly confident in Miller's potential and see him as a core piece of their future. Miller has a rare combination of size, speed, skill, and physicality that makes him a threat at both ends of the ice. He can play in all situations and has shown great chemistry with fellow young defenseman Adam Fox, who won the Norris Trophy last season as the league's best defenseman.
Miller is also a trailblazer for diversity and inclusion in hockey, as one of the few Black players in the NHL. He has spoken openly about his experiences with racism and discrimination in the sport and has used his platform to inspire and empower others. He is a leader on and off the ice and a role model for many young fans.
With Miller locked up for two more years, the Rangers have taken another step toward building a contender for years to come. Miller joins Fox, Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, and Igor Shesterkin as key players who are under contract through at least the 2023-24 season. The team also has several other young stars who are expected to make an impact soon, such as Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere, Vitali Kravtsov, and Nils Lundkvist.
The Rangers are coming off a disappointing season that saw them miss the playoffs for the fourth time in five years. They also underwent a major front-office shakeup, firing President John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton and replacing them with Chris Drury. Drury has been busy this offseason, hiring Gerard Gallant as the new head coach, trading Pavel Buchnevich to St. Louis, signing Barclay Goodrow from Tampa Bay, and drafting Brennan Othmann with the 16th overall pick.
The Rangers hope that these moves, along with Miller's extension, will help them return to relevance in the competitive Metropolitan Division and make a deep run in the playoffs. Miller is certainly excited to be part of the team's future and expressed his gratitude to the organization and the fans on social media.
"I'm beyond blessed and thankful to call New York home for another two years," Miller wrote on Instagram. "Thank you to everyone who has supported me along this journey. I can't wait to get back on the ice with my brothers and play in front of the best fans in hockey."
