Prospect Info: K'Andre Miller (D) - Part IV

[Harbour Dog]

I think he’s been very good lately too, WAY better than Lundkvist.

He definitely has been, but it's only Nils' rookie season. Last night may have his best game lf the season.

He'll have more bumps along the way this year, but at least he's gotten past the nervous yips he had when he wasn't able to handle the puck cleanly.

*Lundkvist, I mean.

 

[nyr2k2]

I think, in general, he has been very good. Up-and-down, for sure. Even the "down" games, he's usually very solid for 90% of his shifts but makes a couple gaffes that unfortunately have lead directly to some frustrating goals. One thing he seems to have difficulty with is keeping track of his coverages when he switches with his partner. Again, though, he's still young and I'm confident these things will resolve themselves in time.

The goal last night was fantastic. Not even that he scored, but just that he showed the willingness to carry the puck up ice. I've noted so many times that in college, he was so skilled at those controlled exits and entries. That was a regular thing for him, where he'd take the puck out of his own end and bring it into the offensive zone on his own. He's such a strong, powerful guy who's a great skater, it's almost impossible to stop him when he really puts his head down. We've seen flashes of him carrying the puck this year but that was one of the first times he really decided to go all-in. I think he was doing it more regularly last year but has probably dialed it down in an effort to focus on safer plays and improving his defensive game this season.

All in all I'm still very happy with where he's at. We have several concerns on the team but he is not one of them.

 

[Ruggs225]

He certainly has learned the game more this year. Looks alot better than last season. Even seeing some aggression towards opponents which is great.

now trade him for a top young center.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I like his game and think our top 4 D are very good and our bottom pair has been improving but does it feel like he just let's guys go past him and relies on his reach to get the puck from behind way too often? It seems like a dangerous game.

 

[Peltz]

I wasn't expecting that beautiful goal. He roofed it with such a nice release.

 

[NY Lito]

I like his game and think our top 4 D are very good and our bottom pair has been improving but does it feel like he just let's guys go past him and relies on his reach to get the puck from behind way too often? It seems like a dangerous game.

I notice that too. Part of the learning curve. Not sure if he's letting guys get by him purposefully to do that, think he's just an inexperinced player. Learning to use that size and reach will pay dividends, going to take some bumps along the way though.

 

[bl02]

I have more confidence in his offensive game right now than any of our younger forwards. Except maybe Fil when he's playing well.

 

[Raspewtin]

i think miller has grown in basically every facet of his game. he is more physical, stick checks/waves his stick less, moves the puck quicker and more decisively, and also maneuvers in his own zone quicker too. i've been pretty impressed with him outside of some gaffes.

 

[Raspewtin]

I like his game and think our top 4 D are very good and our bottom pair has been improving but does it feel like he just let's guys go past him and relies on his reach to get the puck from behind way too often? It seems like a dangerous game.

I think he's slowly unlearning that. he stands up his own blueline and plays the body, also changes his angle on the attacker way more often than he used to from my observation.

 

[Machinehead]

I also like the direction he's headed. We're low-key pretty good at developing defensemen.

Lindgren has already exceeded expectations. Stralman broke out here. Girardi was annoying (especially for me) but wasn't supposed to be anything. Say what you will about Michael Del Zotto but he's had a 13-year NHL career. Lundkvist gets shit but he's a young guy and I still think he's an excellent prospect. Jones and Schneider look right on track.

I hate the notion that Fox doesn't count because he forced his way here. Maybe so, but he's only played pro hockey for the Rangers and the outcome could not possibly be better. At the very least, we're not slowing him down.

At forward is where the problems are.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I also like the direction he's headed. We're low-key pretty good at developing defensemen.

Lindgren has already exceeded expectations. Stralman broke out here. Girardi was annoying (especially for me) but wasn't supposed to be anything. Say what you will about Michael Del Zotto but he's had a 13-year NHL career. Lundkvist gets shit but he's a young guy and I still think he's an excellent prospect. Jones and Schneider look right on track.

I hate the notion that Fox doesn't count because he forced his way here. Maybe so, but he's only played pro hockey for the Rangers and the outcome could not possibly be better. At the very least, we're not slowing him down.

At forward is where the problems are.

It's kind of strange to say this about a 3rd round pick, but Fox seems like a guy like McDavid that a team couldn't ruin.

 

[Machinehead]

It's kind of strange to say this about a 3rd round pick, but Fox seems like a guy like McDavid that a team couldn't ruin.

I think you can ruin anyone. McDavid is just so good that the smell was covered up.

He had his warts. He's currently a Selke-level defender on pace for 180 points. Until age 23, he was a 100 point player who couldn't find his own zone on a map.

McDavid actually did take a massive leap around D+5.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I think you can ruin anyone. McDavid is just so good that the smell was covered up.

He had his warts. He's currently a Selke-level defender on pace for 180 points. Until age 23, he was a 100 point player who couldn't find his own zone on a map.

McDavid actually did take a massive leap around D+5.

I had no idea he improved so much on the defensive end. I wonder if/when he figures out the postseason.

 

[Ruggs225]

I think you can ruin anyone. McDavid is just so good that the smell was covered up.

He had his warts. He's currently a Selke-level defender on pace for 180 points. Until age 23, he was a 100 point player who couldn't find his own zone on a map.

McDavid actually did take a massive leap around D+5.

did his defense actually get better, or did his offense improve so much that he barely is ever in his own zone.

 

[Raspewtin]

did his defense actually get better, or did his offense improve so much that he barely is ever in his own zone.

 

[Sockosensei]

He looks night and day from the player we saw just weeks ago in the preseason.

I like the little cutback move he's added at the offensive blueline to get pucks through to the net.

He doesn't need to go coast to coast every game, but if he can carry the puck more, it'll be another weapon.

And, what a goal.

 

[will1066]

The goal last night broke chosen.

 

[ecemleafs]

I like his game and think our top 4 D are very good and our bottom pair has been improving but does it feel like he just let's guys go past him and relies on his reach to get the puck from behind way too often? It seems like a dangerous game.

he does do that. id prefer if he improves the subtleties of defending as he matures and doesnt try to defend that way, but he is capable of picking the puck due to his size and skating.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

I really, really hope the entire franchise is patient with this kid.

Within his first 8-10 games, you could see the potential. The "good" with KAM is really, really good...if he can iron out the inconsistent moments he could be a 1D. He's the type of player I could see improving for a long time...into his 30s even. Just gotta be patient.

 

[aufheben]

I also like the direction he's headed. We're low-key pretty good at developing defensemen.

Lindgren has already exceeded expectations. Stralman broke out here. Girardi was annoying (especially for me) but wasn't supposed to be anything. Say what you will about Michael Del Zotto but he's had a 13-year NHL career. Lundkvist gets shit but he's a young guy and I still think he's an excellent prospect. Jones and Schneider look right on track.

I hate the notion that Fox doesn't count because he forced his way here. Maybe so, but he's only played pro hockey for the Rangers and the outcome could not possibly be better. At the very least, we're not slowing him down.

At forward is where the problems are.

Adam Fox’s Brian Leetch tapes:

My ass the Rangers didn’t develop him.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Adam Fox’s Brian Leetch tapes:

View attachment 478578

My ass the Rangers didn’t develop him.

Which one is the missing one that he needs to visit @Machinehead to get?

 

[Row I Goon]

Neil Pionk went coast-to-coast and scored a couple seasons back too. But Miller’s was better….

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Neil Pionk went coast-to-coast and scored a couple seasons back too. But Miller’s was better….

Pionk had a spin-o-rama but Miller doing it against the no 1 team in the league makes it so much sweeter.

 

[Larrybiv]

did his defense actually get better, or did his offense improve so much that he barely is ever in his own zone.

Scary huh? A great offense is the best defense, I always said. If you are controlling play in the o-zone, then how could the opposition possibly score?

 

[Larrybiv]

Now that k'Andre has that goal in his back pocket, just might be that he finally gets the confidence to be just a little bit more offensive-minded. I mean, obviously defense first, but when you have that ability, meaning speed and especially that reach of his...... I guess all he needs to improve on is his stick handling and not losing the puck when attempting such.
Either way you look at it, that was an amazing move, and I'm for sure that we're going to see a lot more of that, or similar sooner or later. Me hopes anyway