San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier wants to make moves this off-season, and New York Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller should be on the table.
Miller, 25, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. The 6’5, smooth-skating defenseman has been linked to trade rumors all season and even more now. Reports out of the Draft Combine suggest Rangers GM Chris Drury is shopping Miller.
At 25, Miller would fit the right age for the Sharks to add to their rebuild. Grier knows the days of tearing down the San Jose Sharks roster are over. Now it is the GM’s job to build San Jose into a playoff contender.
Miller had a tough year, along with the rest of the New York Rangers team. While the numbers don’t seem too rough for Miller, his production didn’t take the step forward many predicted.
In the 2023-2024 season, Miller scored eight goals, recorded 22 assists, and finished with a plus-5 rating. He and former Rangers Captain Jacob Trouba were the shutdown pair. In 2024-2025, Miller scored seven goals, 20 assists, and was even. Trouba was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, and Miller was unable to find a solid partner following that.
His underlying numbers suggest he can still become a solid two-way NHL D-man.
If the San Jose Sharks were to sign Miller via an offer sheet or acquire his rights via trade, the opportunity would be much higher for him. Miller won’t unseat Adam Fox as the No. 1 defenseman in New York.
Sharks hold leverage over Rangers if they were to acquire Miller
Mike Grier could have a leg up on the rest of the league due to prior business with Drury and the Rangers. Grier claimed Barclay Goodrow off waivers from the Rangers last summer, taking Goodrow’s $3,641,667 AAV and remaining three years for free.
Although there is no way to prove it, many have speculated that a handshake agreement existed between Grier and Drury, which led to the waiver claim.
The San Jose Sharks haven’t made any more transactions involving the New York Rangers since.
With that in mind, if the Sharks are interested in acquiring Miller, a trade for his signing rights seems more likely. They wouldn’t have to risk giving up higher-value draft capital by signing an offer sheet.
Miller’s last contract held an AAV of $3.782 million. His qualifying offer AAV stands at $4.646 million. For reference, if San Jose were to offer sheet Miller a $4.68 million contract, the Rangers would acquire the Sharks’ 1st and 3rd round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft.
Trading for Miller’s rights seems more likely for San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier.
Regardless of how K’Andre Miller is potentially acquired, the prospect of adding his playstyle to the Sharks’ thin blue line would provide more excitement for the future and immediate improvement of talent.
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Alaskan_ice
June 5, 2025 at 4:15 pm
I’m looking forward to seeing K’Andre in teal!! He’s certainly an important pickup for the Sharks as we need young, experienced defense. He seems to check off most, if not all, the boxes.
Matt
June 7, 2025 at 4:09 pm
There is no way Grier gives up next year’s 1st round pick. Not when they will be in the lottery for Mckenna.