K'Andre Miller is so impressive. I really fell in love with him when I created my top 31 for 2018, I think I had him higher than any other ranking at 10 and, as I wrote at the time, I would have had him much higher if he had been a RHS... (in this compilation of rankings,
2018 NHL Draft Rankings, Miller is at 17, 23, 14, -, 31, 30, -, -, -, 20, -, -, -, - 28, 23, -, -, -)
What really impresses me is his decision making and like feel for the game, which was already obvious 1.5 years ago too. He makes so many quick simple and sound decisions with the puck. At this age so many Ds doesn't at all have that variety in their puck movement. He is obviously a very quick learner. Combine that with his physical tools and the result can become scary good.
As a player his skating is perfectly OK. He gets so good leverage when turns up ice and takes a few powerful strides that he leaves the forecheckers in the dust. He is mobile and can stay with his man defensively. And he is so strong physically, just rubs people off around the boards. I used to think that he would develop into more of an offensive D, but he already has the complete 2-way game pinned down and is probably the best D defensively at this level.
Between Kakko, Kravy and K'Andree I think we have three really strong building blocks for the future.
I think that K'Andre definitely could be deemed to be "ready" by our brass, but I would definitely hate to see him leave college this season. If you throw a kid like this into the NHL they will just have their plate full with just getting by. That is what happened to Marc Staal. K'Andre should get to play a ton with the puck in college and advance that part of his game first. Adjusting to the NHL is more about rounding off your game. Learning how to handle every isolated situation, adjusting to the schedule, physical wear and tear, etc etc etc. You can do that when you are 25 just as well as 19-20. But once you are established in the NHL its very hard to improve your game with the puck and so forth. Learn to play with smaller marginals and take bigger risks, become more comfortable with the puck under pressure. I think another year in college is perfect for Miller, but he will be ready to turn pro next season IMO.
