K'Andre Miller is having a sensational playoffs for the Carolina Hurricanes, and naturally many are deciding to look back at the trade the New York Rangers made in the offseason. Others are wondering how the Rangers could have made such an awful trade, and insist how much of a help he'd be if he remained on Broadway. While Miller was an impactful player for the majority of his tenure, the trade makes as much sense today as it did back when it was originally made.
Both sides got what they wanted from Miller deal
Miller is a gifted skater that is very athletic and agile, and he's been a perfect fit for the type of hockey the Hurricanes play. They play with a tempo and tenacity that overwhelm the opposition, and Miller has benefitted from that. Miller made $7.5 million this season, and is under contract for seven more seasons until he is 33. The Hurricanes are clearly happy with their investment, and the same can be said about the Rangers.
Up until this point Scott Morrow hasn't panned out. It is unfortunate, but there's still some time for him to try and put it together. But what many are overlooking is that by trading Miller and not signing him to the deal they did, Chris Drury was able to sign a player to complement franchise cornerstone Adam Fox.
Vladislav Gavrikov was a revelation for the Rangers, and surprised them by setting a new career high in goals scored. He was the perfect partner for Fox, and the duo posted some impressive numbers when both were in the lineup. The Rangers would have had to have gotten creative to free up enough money to afford both, but they made a choice that suited an immediate need.
Rangers still have an opportunity to get more value
In addition to being able to sign Gavrikov, the Rangers landed an important additional first-round draft pick for the upcoming draft. It remains to be seen if they will use it to select a player, or if it will become a trade asset. In any case, it has the potential to be useful for the team as they transition during the Letter 2.0 phase, something that has only just begun.
In any case, fans can be bummed out that Miller is no longer a Ranger, It is a normal feeling to have, but both sides benefitted from the trade to start, and there's still a chance for the team to get more value. For whatever reason Miller plateaued in New York, and it is unlikely he would have had the same success he's having in Carolina. That they were able to trade a player who no longer fit for a first round draft pick, a prospect, and the cap space to sign a top pair defender of need is something that no one should lose sleep over.
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