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Ranking the New York Rangers’ top five American prospects

By John Williams

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 29: New York Rangers Defenseman K'Andre Miller (79) skates during the New York Rangers Prospect Development Camp on June 29, 2018 at the MSG Training Center in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 29: New York Rangers Defenseman K'Andre Miller (79) skates during the New York Rangers Prospect Development Camp on June 29, 2018 at the MSG Training Center in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 29: New York Rangers Defenseman K’Andre Miller (79) skates during the New York Rangers Prospect Development Camp on June 29, 2018 at the MSG Training Center in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 29: New York Rangers Defenseman K’Andre Miller (79) skates during the New York Rangers Prospect Development Camp on June 29, 2018 at the MSG Training Center in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. K’Andre Miller, LHD

Not only is K’Andre Miller the best American in the Rangers’ system, but he’s also the best defenseman and the best all around athlete in the team’s growing prospect pool as well.

Drafted 22nd overall, the Rangers are extremely high on the Hopkins, Minnesota native. He’s a hulking 6-foot-4 defender who weighs about 200 pounds. Yet, he skates like the wind. As far as physical tools go, he’s the defenseman version of Chris Kreider. He’s an absolute physical specimen.

Miller only started playing defenseman two years ago. A converted forward, Miller took to the position pretty quickly and still has a lot of room to go. He will start his collegiate career this winter with the University of Wisconsin.

The Rangers would love Miller to come over and play with the big club right away but they know it’s best for his development to play at the college level for a few seasons at first.

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In a few years, though, Miller has the potential to be the best overall American player on the club. And who knows? Maybe one of the best in the league, too.

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