Yesterday, the Rangers and K’Andre Miller reached an agreement on a new contract. The 23-year-old defenseman is set to earn close to four million per year over the next two seasons. The average cap hit is $3.872 million.

Undoubtedly, the deal is similar to the one Bowen Byram signed with the Avalanche. Byram received an AAV of $3.85 million. It’s also a bridge deal. Unlike Miller, he’s a year younger and hasn’t played as many games. Byram is 15-28-43 in 91 games. Miller has 21 goals with 54 assists for a total of 75 points in 214 games.

He’s been able to stay healthy. Durability is always a plus for a young defenseman. It was in 2018 that the Rangers selected him number 22 in the first round. After playing two World Junior Championships and spending two years at Wisconsin, Miller made the big transition to the NHL. He posted five goals and a dozen points during his rookie season in 2020-21.

Miller would become the defense partner of Jacob Trouba. While Adam Fox teamed with former USA teammate Ryan Lindgren to form a good top pair, it was the second tandem of Miller and Trouba that drew the bulk of the assignments at five-on-five.

They were at their best during the 2021-22 season. After tallying 20 points (7-13-20) and a plus-24 rating over 82 games, Miller had a good postseason. During the Rangers’ run to the Conference Finals, he contributed two goals with five assists while doing a good job defensively. While Trouba used his size and strength to punish opponents, Miller’s best asset is his skating and long reach. A strength that allows him to recover defensively. He also isn’t shy about jumping up in search for offense.

After a slow start to last season, Miller came on in the second half. By the end of 2022-23, he set new personal bests in goals (9), assists (34), and points (43). Of the 43 points, 38 came at even strength. One area he excels at is on breakaways. He’s able to transition quickly and surprise opponents with his speed and skill.

At times, former coach Gerard Gallant tried him on the second power play. However, he hasn’t proven to be the right fit for that unit. Trouba was also misused on the point when that unit got on. Perhaps that’s why they signed Erik Gustafsson. A more offensive-minded player who played power play for new coach Peter Laviolette in Washington. He’ll be competing with Zac Jones for ice time. Jones also has speed and skill. It’ll be interesting to see what develops in the fall.

If Miller excited fans with his dazzling rushes, his defense was at times spotty. It wasn’t as good an overall year for him. He and Trouba struggled at times. That inconsistency carried over into the playoffs. It wasn’t only Miller and Trouba that were up and down. Even Fox had his issues in a disappointing first round loss to the Hudson rival Devils. However, more was expected from Miller. After recording an assist in a Game One win, he didn’t have another point.

One of the key areas Miller must improve entering Year 4 is when to pinch and when not to. At times, he was overly aggressive. That led to getting caught on for odd man rushes and goals against. Miller must make smarter decisions with and without the puck. He also needs to tighten up his positioning. Taking better angles defensively can lead to success.

Hopefully, new assistant Phil Housley can help Miller make adjustments to improve overall. Housley is a Hall of Famer who had success on Laviolette’s staff in Nashville. He’s certainly got the experience and knowledge to provide input to Miller, Braden Schneider, and Jones. Even Fox can learn something from Housley. Especially after an uneven season despite splendid offensive numbers that saw him finish second behind Erik Karlsson for the Norris.

Rather than panic over the player Miller is so far, I am taking a more patient approach. He isn’t a finished product. Sometimes, it takes defensemen years to develop into the player teams’ envision. Having a good staff in place that includes Dan Muse and Housley should benefit younger players, including unsigned restricted free agent Alexis Lafreniere. He didn’t have a big third year. But improved with a career high 39 points (16-23-39), including 35 at even strength. The plus-10 rating was overlooked. Not having a point over seven games against the Devils hurt. Don’t forget he was a bright spot like Miller during the 2022 playoffs.

The thing is that they’re still young players who haven’t reached their full potential. With Vladimir Tarasenko eventually moving on (wherever that is) and Patrick Kane likely to wind up either back home in Buffalo or possibly Chicago (would it shock anyone) due to recovering from hip surgery, there are openings in the top six for both Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko. On breakup day, Kakko talked about earning top power play minutes. There will be an opportunity under Laviolette for that.

It’ll be up to the younger players to prove they belong. If not, then trusted veteran Blake Wheeler will see some time up on the top two lines. The former Winnipeg captain is a good guy to have. He wants to win. He can also skate well for an older player. I think he’ll be a good fit. He’s a right shot with experience who can play at even strength and on the power play.

As far as Lafreniere goes, the Rangers have a shade of over three million left on their salary cap. Look for them to bridge the former top pick for around $2.5 million on average. Once that order of business is done, the off-season is likely over.

Chris Drury did okay by adding Wheeler along with gritty veteran Nick Bonino. I like the addition of Tyler Pitlick. He’s not going to blow anyone away. But he plays a hard-nosed game with energy. Those are good attributes for a fourth line player, who fans should warm up to. We’ll see if he can carve a niche under Laviolette.

Most intriguing will be Jonathan Quick playing behind Igor Shesterkin. Whoever would’ve imagined the day where the greatest Kings goalie in franchise history would crossover to NYC to play for the Blueshirts? He grew up a fan back in Milford, Connecticut. I always thought his style was similar to Rangers’ great Mike Richter. Both are America. Both won Stanley Cups. They were brilliant. Quick has two.

Of course, it’s been tough for some fans seeing other teams with more cap space improve. The Hurricanes don’t look done. After the Tarasenko deal fell through when he switched agents, they’re still in the mix for him along with Ottawa. Carolina is still figuring out whether or not they’re keeping Brett Pesce. If they can’t extend him, he’s gone. The much rumored Tony DeAngelo deal still hasn’t happened. I wouldn’t do it. He was good his one year there, but he’s too much of a defensive liability. I don’t understand why they would be interested in Erik Karlsson. Ditto for the Penguins.

The only trade that happened was Alex DeBrincat going home to Detroit for a package that included a conditional 2024 first round pick (Boston or Detroit), Dominik Kubalik, D prospect Donovan Sebrango and a 2024 fourth round pick. DeBrincat signed for four years at $7.875 million AAV. A fair deal. Ottawa will need Sebrango to become a good player on their blue line.

That’s it for now. We’re all caught up. Hopefully, there’ll be more activity soon. We’re still waiting on Connor Hellebuyck, John Gibson, possibly William Nylander, and Karlsson. Get your popcorn ready.