Will he be able to catch up to Dmen who have been playing defense since early age? I am guessing he will be a bigger more athletic Gudas or Polak or Klein.
Prospect Info: 2018 NHL Draft / Pick #22 - K'Andre Miller (D)
- Thread starter Pavel Buchnevich
- Start date
- Status
- Aug 5, 2010
- 13,881
- 9,514
Easily could add another 15 pounds to get to 6’4 220 lb and still be very agile, like these under 6’ 190 lb guys.
I think he also could be very similar to Mike Sauer minus the injury problems. A big tough mobile shut down Dman?
he said he took a year off of hockey to focus on his speed and said that his speed is unbelievable
he said he took a year off of hockey to focus on his speed and said that his speed is unbelievable
broadwayblue
Registered User
I dont kow much about big Buff's journey, but he played foward and D right? Maybe we luck out get our own version of big Buff out of this guy. Seems like a good kid who's willing to do whatever is aksed of him. Hope he works out and gets his chance in the NHL.
does anyone know what wisconsin's blueline looks like for next season? how likely is it that miller will get quality ice time as a freshman?
Pavel Buchnevich
"Pavel Buchnevich The Fake"
He's not much of an offensive guy, although I think he has a pretty good shot, especially his wrist shot. He's kind of like Skjei offensively in what he'll give you, but a ways behind Skjei defensively and hockey sense-wise at the same age when we picked him. He won't ruin your offense, but not exactly a really skilled PP specialist. Right now not much of a defensive guy either, but I suspect they hope he develops that part of his game some more. He has good size and tries to play a physical game. Gordie Clark mentioned Skjei when asked about Miller.
- Nov 2, 2011
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I read several scouts had him as one of the best physical defensemen in the draft. Particularly in his efficiency at playing physical, ability to close gaps fast and not sacrifice the play just to lay a hit.
He's easily a better prospect than McI ever was.
Edge
Kris King's Ghost
Significantly more mobile.
He's raw, but the physical tools are there.
His ability to read and react has grown exponentially, and that will be the key to his development moving forward.
am i wrong to be concerned that the disclaimer on his defense is that he has only played defense for 2 years and needs to be taught but also on the flipside he won't provide any offense? is he a hockey player? or is he a great athlete that they hope can be made into a hockey player?
I can actually see him used as a trade bait down the road - it depends how he develop, but I would aim for Trouba any days of the year in exchange with this prospect. But I doubt Jets enjoy the thoughts of it, but maybe they have cap issues so who knows. Because we need NHL ready prospects on the defense in my opinion, and Miller will take some years to develop for sure.
Brooklyn Rangers Fan
Change is good.
Are you kidding me with this nonsense?
Edge
Kris King's Ghost
While they're different players, there are some observations that sound like they could've been from reports about Brady Skjei circa 2012.
The speed paints tantalizing pictures of offense being there. But I don't think that's going to be his forte. The speed is there to help get into plays, cover a lot of ground and when appropriate join the play.
The offensive vision and creativity isn't necessarily there, but he could get some points because of his mobility.
Don't know if anyone saw Brady Skjei as a 39 point defenseman, and it remains to be seen if he gets back to that roughly 40 point level, but Miller has some similarities at the same age.
If the pieces come together, you're potentially looking at a kid who could net 5 goals/30 points, play with an edge, and cover a lot of ground. Probably not quite a first pairing guy, but certainly top 4 upside.
The speed paints tantalizing pictures of offense being there. But I don't think that's going to be his forte. The speed is there to help get into plays, cover a lot of ground and when appropriate join the play.
The offensive vision and creativity isn't necessarily there, but he could get some points because of his mobility.
Don't know if anyone saw Brady Skjei as a 39 point defenseman, and it remains to be seen if he gets back to that roughly 40 point level, but Miller has some similarities at the same age.
If the pieces come together, you're potentially looking at a kid who could net 5 goals/30 points, play with an edge, and cover a lot of ground. Probably not quite a first pairing guy, but certainly top 4 upside.
Lion Hound
Pornhub Enthusiast
K Andre Miller wasn't top of my list with #26, but was on my list overall. Not dissapointed with the selection and now just have to hope this kid develops into what the Rangers were hoping for. I actually think the Brady Skjei comparision is very accurate from a skating and a two-way defender aspect.
The Positives :
- Skating is certainly there. He moves exceptionally well for a big guy, and also has an extra gear.
- Very confident handling the puck
- Size, strength, conditioning <-- All exceptional
- Attitude Kids head is in the right place.
- Headed to an excellent program
The Negatives :
- Played D for only 2 years.
- Falsly labeled as a Physical defenseman. He has the tools to be, but he doesnt impose like some are saying
- Needs to figure out how position better off the rush
- Decision making
- He's another LHD <--Certainly ca't fault him for that, however...there is no overlooking the abundance of them on the NYR and in the system.
The Positives :
- Skating is certainly there. He moves exceptionally well for a big guy, and also has an extra gear.
- Very confident handling the puck
- Size, strength, conditioning <-- All exceptional
- Attitude Kids head is in the right place.
- Headed to an excellent program
The Negatives :
- Played D for only 2 years.
- Falsly labeled as a Physical defenseman. He has the tools to be, but he doesnt impose like some are saying
- Needs to figure out how position better off the rush
- Decision making
- He's another LHD <--Certainly ca't fault him for that, however...there is no overlooking the abundance of them on the NYR and in the system.
There was an article posted that shows that he's already a good player if you look at stats. You're taking PB's opinion too much to heart.
Ail
Based and Rangerspilled.
Would love to see this kid turn into a hybrid forward/defense type like Burns or Buff, ideally.
Edge
Kris King's Ghost
The attraction for Miller is that you're potentially looking at a player who is a pretty rare combination.
He'll arguably play at 6'4, 220-225, and skate very well.
Potentially, he's an ideal fit for the modern NHL.
He'll arguably play at 6'4, 220-225, and skate very well.
Potentially, he's an ideal fit for the modern NHL.
offdacrossbar
misfit fanboy
apples and mangos here.
the top 3 things miller does well and intuitively are:
skate- hes a wonderful skater. strong stride and very fluid. he looks comfortable moving up ice.
defend- he's got condor arms and has an active stick. body knows where to go and what to do defensively. he thinks the game and acts, rather than react. never chasing, always in control.
skills- kid has very few holes. natural talent and physical specimen. not just big- but he is that too. this kid is huge. he does everything well. he isnt a liability at all. he won't need to be protected. he can play 200 ft game and understands his role. active and aware at all times.
ironically, those 3 things were exactly what kept mcilrath from a full time job with us.
Edge
Kris King's Ghost
I think I view the defend and skills part as more of a work in progress at this point.
He's still finding his way defensively and his mobility has helped his overcome some misreads and bad decisions --- not unlike Sean Day. He's still way more on the reactionary side than the reading side. That's going to continue to be a focus area for him.
From a skills standpoint, I think he's still learning to put it all together and figure out how to best deploy what he possesses. He has the skating and he has the size, but he's starting to figure that he needs to be a little more patient and that his hands probably aren't going to net him a ton of goals at the higher levels. So he's working on shifting to smart passes and supporting the play. He's also learning how and when to step up and put a guy on his backside. He's capable of doing it, but it's a different process when you're a defenseman.
One of the big questions with Miller is how the hockey IQ translates against better competition. Right now he can get away with a lot more because he's physically developed and incredibly athletic. Opinions tended to vary on how that will work as the opposition gets bigger, stronger and faster. That's one of the primary reasons you heard some teams having him at 10, and others perhaps in the 40s or 50s.
I think Miller's offensive ability is getting underappreciated. In Mitch Browns tracking project (Brown: The best NHL draft-eligible defencemen in five CHL... - PAID, but worth it), Miller seemed to do a better job creating scoring chances per 60 minutes than Bouchard, Merkley, or Dobson.
His production (over half a point per game) in the USNTDP is pretty good for a guy who didn't get power play time.
At the same time, he does have a rep for being limited offensively and Gordie Clarke himself said he doesn't see Miller running an NHL power play.
What I can gather to reconcile the contrasting views from watching him is that Miller is in fact very good at generating offense, he just does it an unconventional way for a defenseman.
If we could break down Mitch Browns data further, I would bet that K'Andre Miller is at best average at generating offense from the point. He's mobile and is good at getting his wrist shot through while walking the blue line, but you rarely see him ripping one timers or making high level passes from the point. I would also bet that he is off the charts relative to other defensemen at generating offense away from the point. He's very good at joining the rush, carrying the puck down low, and makes some brilliant plays below the hash marks. Essentially plays a forward would make. When you put it all together, he seems to me like a defensemen who is very good at generating offense, just in an unconventional way.
I can also see why a guy like Quinn, whose system is predicated on defensemen joining the play and activating up ice, would love Miller. Furthermore, I would express some hope that between his athletic ability, strength, and ability to get his wrist shot through, he can become a threat to take hard one-timers from the point as he gains experience.
His production (over half a point per game) in the USNTDP is pretty good for a guy who didn't get power play time.
At the same time, he does have a rep for being limited offensively and Gordie Clarke himself said he doesn't see Miller running an NHL power play.
What I can gather to reconcile the contrasting views from watching him is that Miller is in fact very good at generating offense, he just does it an unconventional way for a defenseman.
If we could break down Mitch Browns data further, I would bet that K'Andre Miller is at best average at generating offense from the point. He's mobile and is good at getting his wrist shot through while walking the blue line, but you rarely see him ripping one timers or making high level passes from the point. I would also bet that he is off the charts relative to other defensemen at generating offense away from the point. He's very good at joining the rush, carrying the puck down low, and makes some brilliant plays below the hash marks. Essentially plays a forward would make. When you put it all together, he seems to me like a defensemen who is very good at generating offense, just in an unconventional way.
I can also see why a guy like Quinn, whose system is predicated on defensemen joining the play and activating up ice, would love Miller. Furthermore, I would express some hope that between his athletic ability, strength, and ability to get his wrist shot through, he can become a threat to take hard one-timers from the point as he gains experience.
I’ve had several chuckles over posts where people just assume he’s a big nasty defenseman with a huge shot because he’s big and black.
Where the hell are these Bfygulien comparisons coming in? Darnell Nurse? For gods sake watch 30 seconds of footage of Miller and you’ll see they have absolutely nothing in common besides being big and good skaters.
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