Manhattan’s lights could soon shine on two young defenders of the Montreal Canadiens: Logan Mailloux and Arber Xhekaj.
According to information from Frank Seravalli, New York Rangers are very active in the transactions market and seek to reconfigure their blue line.
And the great victim of this overhaul could be none other than K’andre Miller, this mobile giant, who still has no long -term contract.
The Canadian is particularly well positioned in this file. He has two first-round choices (16th and 17th), he has young right-handed defenders like Mailloux, he has a unique template in Xhekaj, and above all, he has Jeff Gorton, former architect of the Rangers, who himself drafted Miller in 2018. For Gorton, it’s personal. He wants to bring Miller back to Montreal.
But it will be expensive.
K’andre Miller is a 6 -ft monster, 215 lb, capable of skating like a power winger, playing in numerical superiority and countering the best opposing trios.
At 25, he entered his bonus. He wants a long -term contract, at Miro Heiskanen. Over $ 8 million per season.
The Rangers hesitate. They have Jacob Trouba, Adam Fox, and a salary ceiling that cracks everywhere. Their solution? A “Retool” of their defensive. And for that, you need new blood. Young people. Choices. Players with small wages. Exactly what CH has.
Logan Mailloux, 21, is an intriguing project. A heavy shot, a physical presence, an offensive flair, but still a lot of holes in his game.
Arber Xhekaj is loved in Montreal. But its place is threatened by the depth on the left: Guhle, Hutson, Matheson and Struble. And his high-risk style is not suitable for Martin St-Louis in the long term.
Even if several observers point out that the left of the Canadian’s defensive is already well stocked, the arrival of K’andre Miller would not create any problematic congestion.
On the contrary. On the one hand, Miller is an elite defender who would immediately enter the top 4, regardless of the combinations.
On the other hand, Miller, Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle have already shown that he could evolve with ease on the right. Same thing for K’andre Miller himself, who has often played right with USA team or in certain sequences with the Rangers.
In short, the Canadian would finally have a modern, fluid defensive, where lateralities cease to be a brake on pure talent. And Mike Matheson could be exchanged immediately.
K’andre Miller would bring physical presence, elite mobility and an ability to swallow 24-25 minutes per game, exactly what is currently missing in CHP to cross a course.
The rumors circulating behind the scenes are burning: the rangers would assess a transaction involving the 16th and/or the 17th choice,
Mailloux and/or Xhekaj would certainly be involved. It would be the kind of transaction that hurts, but changes an alignment.
Supporters are worried about losing Xhekaj. But the reality is that he will not be able to keep them all. Especially since Xhekaj will never be more than a 6th defender in the head of Martin St-Louis. And the opportunity to obtain a defender of Miller’s caliber is extremely rare. Especially at 25.
And what makes the situation even more explosive? Rangers know they are at risk. A hostile plane offer. With the rise in the salary ceiling at $ 95 million, several teams have the means to destabilize New York.
With the increase in the salary ceiling at $ 95 million this summer, the Montreal Canadiens can afford hard. If Kent Hughes decides to go there by this way, the wage structure of the offer would determine the compensations.
A contract between $ 4.98 million and $ 7.46 million per season would cost a first round choice and a third round choice. This is where the “strategic” area is located for an offer to Miller: generous enough for him to accept it, but not enough to panic the DG.
On the other hand, as soon as we cross the threshold of $ 7.47 million, we fall into another level: a choice of first round, a choice of 2nd round and a choice of 3rd round. At this level, the aggressiveness of the offer becomes a risky bet in terms of salary for a defender who has never exceeded 43 points.
But one thing is certain: K’andre Miller will not sign for less than $ 7 million per season. Some even claim that he would like almost 8 to 9 million per year and that is why the Canadian must seriously consider the transactional path, especially since he has two first round choices (16th and 17th) and several young defenders to offer.
Hit quickly. Offer a convincing package. Show the Rangers that it is better to compromise with the CH than to overpay and lose a first round choice in 2026, one of the best drafts in the history of the NHL.
Here are the compensation stages:
Less than $ 1,660,000: no compensation.
$ 1,660,000 at $ 2,489,999: Choice of 3rd round.
$ 2,490,000 to $ 4,979,999: 2nd round choice.
$ 4,980,000 to $ 7,469,999: 1st round choice + 3rd round.
$ 7,470,000 at $ 9,359,999: Choice of 1st + 2nd + 3rd round.
$ 9,360,000 at $ 11,739,999: two 1st round choices, a 2nd choice and a 3rd choice.
$ 11,740,000: four 1st round choices.
Most likely is that CH leaders opt for a transaction with the rangers if they really want Miller.
Especially if we can convince the rangers with Logan Mailloux, Arber Xhekaj and the 16th or the 17th choice, rather than sacrificing half of the future blind.
Yes, it would be expensive. But in an NHL where the star defenders are becoming increasingly rare, it is the kind of movement that transforms a good team into a suction team.
And it may be the time. Because the rangers listen. And CH has the right pieces.
A phone call. A little courage. And K’andre Miller could be the next cornerstone of Montreal.
