Major development in the Chicago Blackhawks acquiring Star defenseman from the New York Rangers

The New York Rangers will have nine players they'll have to discuss contract extensions with during the off-season. One of those is left-shot defenseman K'Andre Miller, who is a pending RFA at the end of the season.

Miller, who hasn't performed up to the potential we've seen him tap into the last two seasons still has plenty of upside for younger teams to utilize.

If worst comes to worst, and the Rangers and Miller won't be extended by the team, they should try and find buyers on the market, and a rebuilding team like the Blackhawks could be perfect for the top-pairing defenseman in New York.

He currently makes $3.87 million AAV, but is projected to fetch upwards of $4-$6 million AAV for his next deal according to Pro Hockey Rumors:

While this seems minute in terms of a raise for a defenseman, the Rangers cap commitments ($84 million when Will Borgen and Igor Shesterkin's new contracts kick in) could mean the team ends up losing Miller to the Blackhawks, who at the moment have $39.5 million in cap space.

Should GM Kyle Davidson go nuclear and send him an offer sheet, they'd have the picks to back it up too.

They have 7 2nd-round picks in the next three NHL Drafts (2025, 2026, and 2027), and have 5 1st-round picks should it come time to weaponize these instead of using them in the future.

GM Chris Drury could end up in a bidding war, which he would lose due to the lack of cap space available for the defenseman.

Adding Miller would immediately bolster a blueline that is chock-full of young talent like Alex Vlasic, Artyom Levshunov, and Kevin Korchinski.

Miller would add offensive potential, superb skating abilities, and a physical presence that could break games once he reaches his full potential.

He could realize that in Chicago, given what we've seen in the past in New York.

In 66 games with the Rangers this season he's scored 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) and 98 hits.

He can eat minutes, as his ATOI this season is 21:57 and has played on the Rangers' power-play units before.

GM Kyle Davidson would do well to keep an eye on this star defenseman in July.