NHL trade rumors: $7,744,000 NY Rangers D-man's trade deemed "inevitable" by insider owing to expected offer sheets

K’Andre Miller’s time with the NY Rangers may be coming to an end, with his departure described as “inevitable” by NHL insider Larry Brooks. Multiple insiders around the league believe the 24-year-old defenseman could be moved before July 1 to avoid the threat of an offer sheet.

Miller, a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, is coming off a two-year, $7.744 million deal that carried a $3.872 million cap hit. His name reportedly came up repeatedly during the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo, where sources said that Rangers GM Chris Drury is committed to shaking up the roster after a disappointing 2024-25 season.

"Chris Drury is determined to make substantial personnel changes. ... At this point, it seems inevitable that K’Andre Miller ... will be moved," Brooks wrote, in his New York Post column.

Drury is said to be eyeing significant changes in response to what many within the organization believe was poor locker room chemistry. The Rangers finished with just 85 points this season after winning the Presidents’ Trophy the year before. They missed the playoffs and traded former captain Jacob Trouba to Anaheim midseason.

Despite the team’s overall struggles, Miller remained a consistent presence on the blue line. He played 74 games, logging nearly 22 minutes per night, and tallied seven goals and 20 assists. Drafted 22nd overall in 2018, he’s developed into one of the team’s more reliable defensemen.

However, rival teams are watching closely, and Miller could be a prime target for an offer sheet if the NY Rangers don’t act quickly. With arbitration rights and the leverage that comes with them, Miller could command a significant raise - something the Rangers might not be able to match without moving other pieces.

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NY Rangers missed the playoffs and fired coach Peter Laviolette

The New York Rangers missed the playoffs in 2024-25 after finishing with a 39-36-7 record.

It was a disappointing season after their Presidents’ Trophy win and reaching the conference final last year. They started strong but struggled in the middle of the season and couldn’t recover. A 4-15-0 stretch from late November to December hurt their chances.

Leadership changes also caused issues. Barclay Goodrow was waived, while Jacob Trouba was traded, which surprised players. Trade rumors about Chris Kreider added to the uncertainty, while Coach Peter Laviolette was fired after the season.

NY Rangers general manager Chris Drury is now planning major roster changes. The Rangers are now looking for a new coach and hoping to fix their issues before next season.