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Mike Sullivan's View on K'Andre Miller Could Influence Rangers' Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 7:47 AM ET

The New York Rangers hired Mike Sullivan as their new coach after firing Peter Laviolette at the end of the season.

While the former Pittsburgh Penguins gaffer hasn’t coached a game behind the Rangers bench yet, his influence is already being felt in the franchise's offseason plans.

According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, reporting the information on the "Morning Cuppa Hockey" podcast, Sullivan has never been a fan of Rangers defenseman and upcoming restricted free agent K’Andre Miller’s game, dating back to his time coaching the Penguins.

“There’s more than smoke—there’s absolute fire when it comes to K’Andre Miller,” Seravalli said. “They are looking to reshape their defensive core.

"My understanding is back from his days in Pittsburgh, even before he went to New York, Mike Sullivan was not a huge fan of K’Andre Miller’s game, so that probably further enforces and supports that Miller is going to be on the move, or likely be on the move.”

Two days later, Seravalli added further information to his initial report, saying that Miller's market is "robust" with "12 to 15 teams" interested in the player.

Miller, who will become an RFA starting July 1, just completed his fifth NHL season and is coming off scoring 27 points in 74 games.

Still 25 years old, Miller is arbitration eligible, with a $4.646 million qualifying offer looming.

The Rangers are believed to be hesitant about a long-term deal and are reportedly weighing all options, from trying to sign the blueliner to a short, bridge-type deal, to sign-and-trade him to another team.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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