LD K'Andre Miller (2018, 22nd, NYR)

[57special]

How come black athletes who play sports/positions typically occupied by white players, always run into the "smart enough' criticism? In the NFL it's QB's.....A lot of players aren't smart enough to play professional sports but it seems to get pointed out a lot when it's black player.

o boy...where did this come from?

For the record, as someone who has seen him play since he was 13 or so, I've never thought that IQ( specifically, hockey IQ) was a problem. Being converted to playing D at a comparatively late date has him playing catch up on certain skills and D specific decisions, which might make it appear, at times, that he has a low hockey IQ, when it's really just inexperience.

Early on in his career, when he was moved back and forth from D to forward, Brett Burns was considered to have a questionable hockey IQ. It seemed to work out OK for him.

We can make a list of dumb White, Asian, mixed race, and other hockey players if that will make you feel better.

 

[bigdog16]

Yeah its definitely more of the inexperience compared to lack of IQ. He thinks the game fine. He doesnt make bone head decisions like Wilde does (relax Islander fans, he will be fine). His raw tools are fantastic, he is a pure athlete, his development and learning curve are going up at a crazy pace. A few more years of learning the position at a high level and the skys the limit.

 

[Claypool]

How come black athletes who play sports/positions typically occupied by white players, always run into the "smart enough' criticism? In the NFL it's QB's.....A lot of players aren't smart enough to play professional sports but it seems to get pointed out a lot when it's black player.

Pretty sure everyone praised Seth Jones for his "hockey IQ" when he was being drafted. Regardless, a player's play on the ice (or field) dictates how good they ultimately are, not what people say.

 

[Bourdon]

He has a lot of instincts that are forward inclined, which obviously makes sense when you understand that he is a forward converted to a defenseman. He didn't play defense until he was 15! He has a lot of development ahead of him and will continue to learn from experience. But the fact that his offensive talents are so apparent so early, coupled with his physical gifts, there's a gem here for sure.

I see him as a Werenski type if he doesn't develop his reads in the defensive end, but his potential could be a Seth Jones type. I already think he's a lot more competitive than Werenski in his own zone.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

 

[UnSandvich]

Just went right through that Dman's attempt at a check

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Just went right through that Dman's attempt at a check

Sup @Pavel Buchnevich

 

[The Crypto Guy]

So excited for this kid, sky is the limit for him.

 

[PKWeber]

So excited for this kid, sky is the limit for him.

Not really, second pairing is most likely his limit.

 

[Lays]

Not really, second pairing is most likely his limit.

Not with his tools

 

[Digitalbooya]

Not really, second pairing is most likely his limit.

His limit? Really?

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Not really, second pairing is most likely his limit.

Lol no

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

This prospect is a huge unknown, in my opinion.

I thought prior to the season that he was most likely a 4/5D that could be a first pairing guy if hockey skills develop, but it was more likely he'd hit his floor than ceiling because usually when you have to say "if hockey skills develop", it means that their hockey skills are far behind where they should be.

He's put up great stats at Wisconsin and did well enough to impress the US WJC staff, but every time I've seen him play this season, he plays mediocre hockey. It might be a huge coincidence. This is coming off a season where I think I had a better grasp of his play than this season, and I thought he regressed.

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if he is a first pair defenseman and I wouldn't be surprised if he never sticks in the NHL.

 

[Maplebeasts]

Not really, second pairing is most likely his limit.

Nope. A lot of us here have been saying he has 1D potential even if it's hard to see him getting there. I personally think he's gonna be a #2 at least.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

This prospect is a huge unknown, in my opinion.

I thought prior to the season that he was most likely a 4/5D that could be a first pairing guy if hockey skills develop, but it was more likely he'd hit his floor than ceiling because usually when you have to say "if hockey skills develop", it means that their hockey skills are far behind where they should be.

He's put up great stats at Wisconsin and did well enough to impress the US WJC staff, but every time I've seen him play this season, he plays mediocre hockey. It might be a huge coincidence. This is coming off a season where I think I had a better grasp of his play than this season, and I thought he regressed.

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if he is a first pair defenseman and I wouldn't be surprised if he never sticks in the NHL.

The issues are with your eyes.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

This prospect is a huge unknown, in my opinion.

I thought prior to the season that he was most likely a 4/5D that could be a first pairing guy if hockey skills develop, but it was more likely he'd hit his floor than ceiling because usually when you have to say "if hockey skills develop", it means that their hockey skills are far behind where they should be.

He's put up great stats at Wisconsin and did well enough to impress the US WJC staff, but every time I've seen him play this season, he plays mediocre hockey. It might be a huge coincidence. This is coming off a season where I think I had a better grasp of his play than this season, and I thought he regressed.

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if he is a first pair defenseman and I wouldn't be surprised if he never sticks in the NHL.

You can never admit when you were wrong huh?

 

[nyr2k2]

This prospect is a huge unknown, in my opinion.

I thought prior to the season that he was most likely a 4/5D that could be a first pairing guy if hockey skills develop, but it was more likely he'd hit his floor than ceiling because usually when you have to say "if hockey skills develop", it means that their hockey skills are far behind where they should be.

He's put up great stats at Wisconsin and did well enough to impress the US WJC staff, but every time I've seen him play this season, he plays mediocre hockey. It might be a huge coincidence. This is coming off a season where I think I had a better grasp of his play than this season, and I thought he regressed.

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if he is a first pair defenseman and I wouldn't be surprised if he never sticks in the NHL.

I remember when we drafted him you said something like he had a toolbox but no tools at all, or something similarly asinine. You're just wrong on this guy, like most defensemen you "analyze."

Here's the post: 2018 NHL Draft / Pick #22 - K'Andre Miller (D)

He reminds you of Sean Day, his skills may be non-existent, he could also be like Brady Skjei but it's probably overly-optimistic to think he'll be more like Skjei than Day. And also he regressed last year.

 

[pblawr]

He's no Zboroviskiy

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

You can never admit when you were wrong huh?

What am I wrong about? Is it that I don't take orders from Jeff Gorton like some appear to do?

Some of you need to stop waving the pom-poms and make objective assessments.

Form your own opinions. Don't pick up copies of the Rangers media relations department talking points. Its why so many are on ignore. I don't have the desire to argue with team cheerleaders.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

He's no Zboroviskiy

Or Graves

 

[The Crypto Guy]

This prospect is a huge unknown, in my opinion.

I thought prior to the season that he was most likely a 4/5D that could be a first pairing guy if hockey skills develop, but it was more likely he'd hit his floor than ceiling because usually when you have to say "if hockey skills develop", it means that their hockey skills are far behind where they should be.

He's put up great stats at Wisconsin and did well enough to impress the US WJC staff, but every time I've seen him play this season, he plays mediocre hockey. It might be a huge coincidence. This is coming off a season where I think I had a better grasp of his play than this season, and I thought he regressed.

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if he is a first pair defenseman and I wouldn't be surprised if he never sticks in the NHL.

"I was wrong"

See, it's not so hard.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

What am I wrong about? Is it that I don't take orders from Jeff Gorton like some appear to do?

Some of you need to stop waving the pom-poms and make objective assessments.

Form your own opinions. Don't pick up copies of the Rangers media relations department talking points. Its why so many are on ignore. I don't have the desire to argue with team cheerleaders.

We do.

You just need to learn how to actually analyze what is good and what is not on the ice.

 

[nyr2k2]

What am I wrong about? Is it that I don't take orders from Jeff Gorton like some appear to do?

Some of you need to stop waving the pom-poms and make objective assessments.

Form your own opinions. Don't pick up copies of the Rangers media relations department talking points. Its why so many are on ignore. I don't have the desire to argue with team cheerleaders.

You just ignore anyone that challenges you. You were the biggest cheerleader for Graves and Zborovskiy, and everyone told you they were nothing special. You were the "Wilmer Flores is an All Star" guy. Etc. Etc. And you've also been right about things! Just like everyone else. But you can't stand being wrong, refuse to ever admit that you are, and then put those of us that challenge you on ignore at the drop of a hat. It's why I know I won't get a response.

Anyway, glad to see K'Andre playing so well on both sides of the puck. I naturally expect his scoring to subside, as I don't think he's quite the phenom his numbers suggest, but I have been very happy with what I've seen. Tremendous upside here.

 

[Alluckks]

This prospect is a huge unknown, in my opinion.

I thought prior to the season that he was most likely a 4/5D that could be a first pairing guy if hockey skills develop, but it was more likely he'd hit his floor than ceiling because usually when you have to say "if hockey skills develop", it means that their hockey skills are far behind where they should be.

He's put up great stats at Wisconsin and did well enough to impress the US WJC staff, but every time I've seen him play this season, he plays mediocre hockey. It might be a huge coincidence. This is coming off a season where I think I had a better grasp of his play than this season, and I thought he regressed.

At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if he is a first pair defenseman and I wouldn't be surprised if he never sticks in the NHL.

He could literally be jettisoned to the moon and this post accounted for that lol

For someone that had such a firm stance on it being a bad pick you sure seem wishy washy now.

Also, people call you out because you are an ahole and give runaround insult responses when people take exception to your posting habits.

If it smells like crap everywhere you walk, check your feet.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

What am I wrong about? Is it that I don't take orders from Jeff Gorton like some appear to do?

Some of you need to stop waving the pom-poms and make objective assessments.

Form your own opinions. Don't pick up copies of the Rangers media relations department talking points. Its why so many are on ignore. I don't have the desire to argue with team cheerleaders.

I do form my own opinions and my opinions is Kandre has been awesome this year and not even close to the player you described him as.