K'Andre Miller has already penciled his name onto the New York Rangers first pair of the future

It's early, but K'Andre Miller's play on the New York Rangers blue line has been one of the season's most pleasant surprises.

Plainly put: Miller looks like a future top-pairing defender. He’s already leading the Rangers in 5-on-5 TOI/GP, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Yes, we’re not even a month into the season. A lot can and likely will change with time. But this is the most skilled hockey Miller’s played since his draft-year. Generally, when players advance up the ranks, their skills relative to their peers decrease. Miller’s seem to be holding steady, if not improving in some respects.

Despite Miller’s meagre half-a-point per game last season, it’s not that surprising that he looks good in the NHL. Wisconsin’s stretch-the-ice, north-south style with little time for slowing the game or e