The K’Andre Miller drama is likely coming to an end in the next 2 days. Chris Drury wants this trade finalized so he can make a decision regarding the Rangers 2025 1st round pick. The trade also drives many other offseason plans, including what to do with left defense, which is a barren wasteland. Looking into some K’Andre Miller trades, let’s remember that this is pure speculation. There is no truth or rumors to any of these potential K’Andre Miller trades that I am going to speculate on.
On finding the right teams for potential K’Andre Miller trades
Finding the right trade partner is the tough part with theoretical K’Andre Miller trades. As fans, we lack insider knowledge of team plans, mostly inserting our own opinions which–to be blunt–don’t matter. But it’s still fun to find some potential K’Andre Miller trades, so while this may be an exercise in futility, it’s still fun.
To find the right teams interested in Miller, we need to first understand what Chris Drury would want in return. We know the Rangers need center depth, if anything as an insurance policy on Mika Zibanejad. We also know that all of these potential K’Andre Miller trades will leave another hole on LD. At worst, Miller was the Rangers 2LD, though there’s a strong argument that he and Adam Fox should be given runway as the top pair. But I digress.
While the goal in any of these potential K’Andre Miller trades is to address the team holes, it’s likely this trade alone won’t be able to fill all their needs. What we do know is Drury probably isn’t trading Miller for only futures. While futures may be a part of the return, he’s aiming for something he can use right now.
There are rumblings that at least half the league is interested, which makes me question all these potential K’Andre Miller trades and why the Rangers would want to do this. After all, if half the league wants your 25 year old, top-four defenseman, why do you want to trade him?
The answer is two-fold: First, Miller is probably their best realistic trade asset right now. Second and more complicated, it seems neither side can agree on an appropriate contract length. While neither side seems to want something long term, the rumors are Miller wants his next contract with the Rangers to take him to free agency. The Rangers want one more contract, potentially after another show me year under Mike Sullivan. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.
Potential trade #1: K’Andre Miller to Anaheim for Trevor Zegras
Disclaimer: Zegras is being traded to Philly, but I wrote this and I’m leaving it here. It’s not relevant, but I’m stubborn.
With Anaheim apparently still shopping Trevor Zegras, there’s potential for a third trade in less than a year between the two teams. Miller fits a need for Anaheim as a top-four LD behind Jackson Lacombe. Zegras fits a need for the Rangers as a top-six scoring center/wing that can shift based on where Zibanejad winds up in the lineup.
The framework makes sense. Zegras has one year remaining at $5.75 million, while Miller is an arbitration eligible RFA with a projected cap hit similar to Zegras’. So we have the aligning needs and contracts, it’s just a matter of filling in the spare parts.
What might hold something like this up is whether Sullivan thinks Zibanejad is best on the wing, as opposed to center. Zegras had struggles at center to the point where he was shifted to wing. He’s also a bit rough on faceoffs, but that naturally improves with age and with some solid coaching. It’s more about the two-way play the center position needs, and getting the most out of him.
Potential Trade: K’Andre Miller for Trevor Zegras, straight up.
Potential Trade #2: K’Andre Miller to Chicago for Phillipp Kurashev
Aside: I’m borrowing the next two hypothetical K’Andre Miller trades from Hope, who put the framework in our group chat.
Chicago is in an interesting spot. They need young talent and are rebuilding, but are also in desperate need of young defensemen. Miller would instantly become Chicago’s best defenseman and would add some much needed depth behind…Alex Vlasic? Kevin Korchinski? It’s a barren wasteland for Chicago back there.
Phillipp Kurashev (6′, 185 lb) would be a bit of a project for the Rangers. He hasn’t exactly had much success in Chicago and is also an arbitration eligible RFA with a projected contract around 2 years and $2 million, or 1 year and $1.6 million should both parties agree to a show me deal. Perhaps he’d be in a better situation with better linemates in New York, where his zone entry and diverse offense drivers can be showcased a bit more.
Another wrinkle is Kurashev’s position. Like Zegras, he isn’t really a center, though it does appear his defensive game could be better suited as a 3C, but that remains to be seen. Sully getting his hands on him could be a good thing.
Potential trade: Miller to Chicago for Kurashev and Toronto’s 2025 1st round pick (#25 overall).
Potential trade #3: Miller to Chicago for Lukas Reichel
Chicago really needs a young defenseman, hence why two potential K’Andre Miller trades include him going to Chicago. Instead of Kurashev, in this scenario the Rangers take Lukas Reichel, a 6′, 170 lb LW. Reichel, Chicago’s 1st round pick in 2020, hasn’t put it all together yet, but has the potential to be a solid middle six forward.
Like Kurashev, Reichel is another project. Reichel has better xGAR and zone entry numbers, but Kurashev is the better player right now. Reichel is a tougher player to gauge, as he’s a lesser known entity than Kurashev without the defensive play or lineup flexibility.
The same concept applies, as Chicago needs to add to Reichel.
Potential trade: Miller to Chicago for Reichel, Toronto’s 2025 1st (#25), and a 2026 2nd round pick.
Potential Trade #4: K’Andre Miller to Buffalo for JJ Peterka
Of all the potential K’Andre Miller trades discussed, it seems Buffalo is the team able to move someone the Rangers need right now. Drury is heavily involved in discussions regarding JJ Peterka, though Miller alone is far from enough to land Peterka. Buffalo would also need to unload Bowen Byram in a separate trade.
Aside: Everyone loves the Byram/Miller swap, and that’s been analyzed to death. I’m skipping it in favor of something different.
We’ve discussed the possibility of acquiring Peterka a few times, as the 23 year old winger has been the subject of rumors dating back to the trade deadline. While the Rangers need young centers, something Peterka is not, Drury appears to be hyper focused on him. A pending RFA without arbitration rights, Peterka is projected to get a 2 year bridge deal in the $5 million range, but long term projections have him in the 5-7 year, $7 million range.
Another wrinkle: Buffalo seems to want to trade Mattias Samuelsson, a 25 year old LD with 5 years remaining on his contract, carrying a $4.28 million cap hit. Samuelsson had a brutal year, but his 23-24 campaign was strong. He could be an interesting buy-low candidate, especially since Drury will love his height at 6’3″ and 225 lbs.
If the Rangers can take Samuelsson’s contract (probably trading Carson Soucy in a separate deal) without retention, is that enough value for Buffalo to add him to a Peterka deal?
Potential trade: Miller, Brennan Othmann, and a mid-round pick to Buffalo for Peterka and Mattias Samuelsson.
Potential trade #5: K’Andre Miller to Utah for a package including the Rangers 2026 2nd round pick
If the Rangers are truly in on an RFA offer sheet (note: Peterka), then they need their 2026 2nd round pick. Utah has that pick, and Utah could use some blue line help. Utah is reportedly “open for business,” though that term is always used loosely. Jack McBain’s name has been floated, though the arbitration eligible center is more of a decent 3C at this point in his career.
Mattias Maccelli would be the target from Utah, including the Rangers 2nd round pick. Maccelli, 24, has another year left at $3.425 million, but again Drury appears dead set on acquiring players over 6′ tall, and Maccelli is “only” 5’11”.
Maccelli has solid microstats, showing he can drive offense in multiple ways and is capable in all three zones. However this past year looked to be rough for the winger, with a major dip in production and in overall play driving across all three zones. Maccelli would be another solid buy low candidate for the Rangers who can also play both wings.
Potential trade: Miller to Utah for Maccelli, Ian Cole (cap dump, Rangers promptly buy him out), and the Rangers 2026 2nd round pick.
Again, all of these potential K’Andre Miller trades are speculation. These are not rumors.
