The New York Rangers selected K'Andre Miller with the 22nd overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft on Friday in Dallas. New York acquired the selection from Ottawa for the 26th and 48th overall picks.
K'Andre Miller
Position: Defense Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 206 lbs Age: 18 Club: USA U-18 (NTDP) Nationality: American
Bursting with raw potential, Miller is among the most intriguing defensemen in this year's draft class. He's a natural athlete and an exceptionally smooth skater for a defender of his stature, even though the 18-year-old has only played the position for a handful of seasons.
Originally a forward, Miller patrols the blue line with the offensive instincts of a front-line skater. That much is evident from his stat line, as this season Miller outpaced all defenders on the U.S. National Development Program's Under-18 team. When the season wrapped, Miller had the opportunity to showcase his offensive acumen as part of the American squad at the Under-18 World Championship, where he picked up a goal and two assists across seven games.
While there's little doubting Miller's ability with the puck, he must continue to develop the defensive details of his game. He'll have the opportunity to do that next season at the University of Wisconsin.
"(His) upside is too much to ignore when you consider the size, skating ability, and athleticism," said Sam Cosentino of Sportsnet. "(He) has cleaned up his game from the start of the season."
The fairytale didn't end the way the Golden Knights wanted.
Vegas lost its fourth straight game for the first time this season Thursday, and it happened at the most inopportune time - in the Stanley Cup Final.
The Washington Capitals are Cup champions, and Vegas goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury spoke in a somber Knights locker room after the game, singling out his team's new and rabid supporters.
"Thank you for all the support throughout the season," Fleury told reporters. "From day one, they've been incredible. Sorry we couldn't bring it home."
Fleury, who became the face of the club, struggled in the Cup Final, but he knows that he and his team - which physically did not exist a year ago at this time - have much to be proud of.
"It was pretty quiet in here after the game," he said. "Nobody talked about it. I think we all need a little time to realize what we've done."
The Golden Knights' magical run is over, but it was some ride.
Here are some of the best reactions from across the Twitterverse:
BREAKING: U.S. Supreme Court rules that federal ban on state-sanctioned sports betting is unconstitutional. Decides case in favor of New Jersey. Floodgates now officially open for other states to allow sports betting. #RIPPASPA
Decision wasn’t even close! 7-2. Shame to think these leagues were holding us hostage for so long. No more. Commissioner Goodell, time to face the music.
Notes on how @NFL will react to the sports gambling news: 1. Maintaining integrity of the game is the highest’s priority. 2. It won’t rush into the biggest pot of dollars. Will slow-play this & think long-term. 3. The direct dollars will come from licensing, logos, videos & data.
The Supreme Court just ruled it is legal for states to allow sports betting. MLB and its lobbyists are trying to persuade states that the league should get a cut, which could mean even more money flowing into a financially healthy league.
NCAA will revise is "sports wageing and championship polices to align with the direction from the court." Re: SCOTUS ruling, striking down federal ban on sports betting.
Quick thought on Supreme Court decision: with widespread legalized sports betting coming, college coaches who detest talking injuries better get used to some version of NFL style injury reports.
Never thought I’d live through a time where marijuana and sports betting were legalized. This ripple effect from legalized sports gambling is going to be enormous. ESPECIALLY for big-time college sports.
This is an historic day, but it was coming. The inexorable march of sports betting in this country -- in the light, not the darkness -- was inevitable.
How fast will states be able to implement sports gambling? A lot depends on whether the particular state chooses to be regulated or unregulated. Legislation and oversight for regulated will take significantly longer.
Monumental day in SPORTS history! Finally! Now the industry's second gold rush begins in earnest. Fantasy was the first with the advent of broadband connections. By the end of 2019, expect numerous states to offer some form of sports betting. https://t.co/etyJsBGWKm
The World Hockey Championship runs May 4-20 in Copenhagen and Herning, Denmark. Stay up to date with all game action via our daily scoreboard (all times Eastern).
The 14th and final regular-season installment of theScore's NHL Power Rankings was put together by hockey editors Josh Gold-Smith, Craig Hagerman, and Cory Wilkins.
1. Nashville Predators (53-18-11) ▲
Previously 4th
There's no beating around it - the Predators are the team to beat going into the postseason. They are the Presidents' Trophy winner and a reigning Stanley Cup finalist.
They're also built to contend once again. Anything short of another Cup Final appearance is sure to be a disappointment. - Hagerman
2. Winnipeg Jets (52-20-10)
Previously 2nd
The Jets are entering the playoffs after going 9-1-0 in their last 10 games, including five straight victories. Their top six is arguably the best in the league and they're also relatively healthy, even without Dmitry Kulikov.
If anyone in the West can give the Preds a scare, it's the Jets. - Hagerman
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (54-23-5) ▼
Previously 1st
With losses in five of their last eight games to close out the season, the Lightning aren't entering the playoffs with an overly hot hand. That being said, you can't discount their body of work all season.
Specifically, they scored 19 more goals than the next closest team, and have the best goal differential in the league. - Hagerman
4. Boston Bruins (50-20-12) ▼
Previously 3rd
From Jan. 1 on, only the Predators had a better record than the Bruins.
The club has been dominant, and even in the face of numerous injuries, it always finds ways to win games. Now, with a healthy lineup, a lethal top line that's intact, and incredible resiliency that keeps them in every game, the Bruins could be the scariest team in the East. - Hagerman
5. Vegas Golden Knights (51-24-7) ▲
Previously 6th
This is the most successful expansion team in league history.
The Golden Knights had a season to remember, and while they stumbled in the final week - especially in their 7-1 loss to Calgary - they've been mighty consistent, especially on home ice. - Hagerman
6. Toronto Maple Leafs (49-26-7) ▼
Previously 5th
Statistically, the Maple Leafs had the best season in franchise history.
Toronto set a club record for home wins and points in a single season, while Frederik Andersen established the team's single-season wins record among goalies. Heading into the playoffs, the power play is rolling and Auston Matthews has points in nine straight games since his return from injury. - Hagerman
7. Washington Capitals (49-26-7) ▲
Previously 8th
The Capitals closed out the regular season with an impressive 8-2-0 record over their final 10 games.
Meanwhile, Alexander Ovechkin finished just one shy of his eighth 50-goal campaign, and John Carlson had a career year by leading all defensemen with 68 points. However, those personal achievements will mean very little if the Capitals once again choke in the playoffs. - Hagerman
With the best power play in the league, three players with 89 or more points, and experience on their side, it's hard to bet against them. - Hagerman
9. Anaheim Ducks (44-25-13) ▲
Previously 14th
An incredible 8-1-1 record down the stretch helped the Ducks sneak into second place in the Pacific Division, giving them home-ice advantage in the first round.
If you're betting on the hot hand coming into the postseason, keep an eye on this team. - Hagerman
10. San Jose Sharks (45-27-10) ▼
Previously 7th
After making a surge in the previous edition of these rankings, the Sharks have fallen back back down to earth.
The team has won just five of its last 10 games, and that slide cost it home ice in the first round. Meanwhile, with Joe Thorntonnot expected to return for the start of the playoffs, the club will have to continue playing without arguably its most experienced leader. - Hagerman
11. Los Angeles Kings (45-29-8) ▲
Previously 17th
The Kings finished the regular season by going 4-1-1, and while they didn't secure one of the Pacific Division's top three playoff spots, they have the edge in terms of postseason experience over the Golden Knights in Round 1. - Gold-Smith
12. Minnesota Wild (45-26-11) ▼
Previously 9th
The Wild wrapped up their slate with a less-than-ideal mini-road swing in California, falling to the Ducks and Kings on back-to-back nights before doubling up the Sharks on Saturday. They'll face the white-hot Jets in the opening round of the playoffs, and they won't be favored. - Gold-Smith
13. Columbus Blue Jackets (45-30-7)
Previously 13th
The Blue Jackets went five straight games without losing in regulation until the Predators beat them 4-2 on Saturday night, but Columbus' top-10 defense will now be put to the test by the Capitals' top-10 offense. - Gold-Smith
14. New Jersey Devils (44-29-9) ▲
Previously 16th
New Jersey won seven of its last 10 down the stretch and clinched a playoff berth for the first time since its Stanley Cup Final run in 2012. Taylor Hall, Nico Hischier, and Co. have the Devils headed in the right direction, regardless of how their first-round series goes. - Gold-Smith
15. Philadelphia Flyers (42-26-14)
Previously 15th
The Flyers ride into the postseason on a high, having won four of their last five and two straight - including a blowout, playoff-berth-clinching win over the New York Rangers. That sends them into a highly anticipated intrastate series against the rival Penguins with some momentum. - Gold-Smith
16. Colorado Avalanche (43-30-9) ▼
Previously 11th
The Avalanche punctuated their remarkable turnaround with a win over the Blues on Saturday night that knocked St. Louis out and gave Colorado a playoff spot, a year after the team finished with the worst record of the salary-cap era. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen are really fun to watch, and they could give the Predators a headache or two. - Gold-Smith
17. Florida Panthers (44-30-8) ▲
Previously 18th
The Panthers reeled off five straight victories to close their season and prevented the Bruins from clinching the Atlantic Division title in the finale Sunday. That's little consolation for a club that will be on the outside looking in when the playoffs begin Wednesday night. - Gold-Smith
18. St. Louis Blues (44-32-6) ▼
Previously 12th
All the Blues had to do to make the playoffs was earn a point against the Avalanche on Saturday night, so that loss is going to sting for a while. St. Louis deserves credit for getting back in the race after a pre-deadline tailspin forced the Paul Stastny trade, but it doesn't much matter now. - Gold-Smith
19. Dallas Stars (42-32-8)
Previously 19th
An eight-game losing skid in March stuck a fork in the Stars, who had high hopes for the season with the additions of Alexander Radulov and Ben Bishop, among others. John Klingberg took a significant step forward, but the team as a whole still has plenty of room for growth. - Gold-Smith
20. Carolina Hurricanes (36-25-11) ▲
Previously 21st
Defeating the Lightning in overtime Saturday night was a nice way to end another discouraging campaign in Carolina, but the Hurricanes missed the playoffs yet again and won only two of their final seven contests. - Gold-Smith
21. Calgary Flames (37-35-10) ▼
Previously 20th
A disappointing season is made even worse when you consider the Flames moved an eventual lottery pick for defenseman Travis Hamonic. A second straight underwhelming year could also be bad news for head coach Glen Gulutzan. - Wilkins
22. New York Islanders (35-27-10) ▲
Previously 25th
The only thing that matters in Brooklyn right now is the immediate future of John Tavares. The Islanders' captain will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and a departure would be devastating for the franchise. - Wilkins
23. Edmonton Oilers (36-40-6) ▼
Previously 22nd
Imagine having Connor McDavid in your lineup and still missing the playoffs by nearly 20 points. The big concern in the Alberta capital is wondering whether last year's playoff team was a fluke and if this season's edition is closer to reality. - Wilkins
24. Chicago Blackhawks (33-39-10)
Previously 24th
The Blackhawks' days of chasing Cups are over, but the usual duo will be tasked with bringing the team back to contention; general manager Stan Bowman and head coach Joel Quenneville will both return next season. - Wilkins
25. Vancouver Canucks (31-40-11) ▲
Previously 30th
The Sedins are done, but the next wave is on the way in Vancouver, with Brock Boeser, who scored 29 goals as a rookie, Swedish recruit Elias Pettersson, and 2018 Hobey Baker Award winner Adam Gaudette in the fold. Lottery luck could also see the Canucks add to their budding prospect pool. - Wilkins
26. New York Rangers (34-39-9) ▼
Previously 23rd
The shake-up continued in Manhattan on Saturday with the dismissal of coach Alain Vigneault, whose exit followed the deadline departures of franchise mainstays Ryan McDonagh, Rick Nash, and J.T. Miller. Next up: Will the Rangers' rebuild successfully avoid the temptations of free agency this offseason? - Wilkins
27. Arizona Coyotes (29-41-12) ▲
Previously 28th
After posting a winning record once the calendar flipped to 2018, brighter days are ahead in the desert. Look for another busy offseason, as GM John Chayka has hinted that significant moves are to come. - Wilkins
28. Detroit Red Wings (30-39-13) ▼
Previously 26
If it wasn't evident already, the rebuild is on in Hockeytown, with the Red Wings deciding that GM Ken Holland is the right man to steer the franchise through that process. Obtaining three picks for Tomas Tatar at the trade deadline made for a strong start. - Wilkins
29. Montreal Canadiens (29-40-13) ▼
Previously 27th
This Canadiens' offseason plan looks a lot like last summer's agenda - upgrade up the middle. The experiment of Jonathan Drouin as a center failed, which means the addition of a top pivot must be the main priority for returning GM Marc Bergevin. - Wilkins
30. Ottawa Senators (28-43-11) ▼
Previously 29th
Putting protections on the first-rounder involved in the Matt Duchene deal proved to be a wise move by GM Pierre Dorion, as the Senators hold the second-best odds entering the draft lottery. Ottawa can defer its 2019 first-round pick to the Avalanche. - Wilkins
31. Buffalo Sabres (25-45-12)
Previously 31st
There's Jack Eichel, and there's more hope on the way in former first-rounders Alex Nylander and Casey Mittelstadt. Still, the Sabres' lack of depth was exposed this season. A full year at the helm for Jason Botterill should give the rookie GM plenty of ideas on where his squad needs help. - Wilkins
The Boston Bruins fell in defeat Sunday, meaning the Tampa Bay Lightning have clinched the Atlantic Division. As a result, the eight series to open the Stanley Cup Playoffs are now set in stone:
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Tampa Bay Lightning (A1) vs. New Jersey Devils (WC2)
Game
Date
Time (ET)
Home
TV
1
Thursday April 12
7 p.m.
Lightning
NHL Network / SN / TVA Sports
2
Saturday April 14
3 p.m.
Lightning
NBC / CNBC / SN360 / TVA Sports
3
Monday April 16
7:30 p.m.
Devils
CNBC / SN / TVA Sports
4
Wednesday April 18
7:30 p.m.
Devils
GOLF / SN / TVA Sports
*5
Saturday April 21
TBD
Lightning
TBD
*6
Monday April 23
TBD
Devils
TBD
*7
Wednesday April 25
TBD
Lightning
TBD
Boston Bruins (A2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (A3)
Game
Date
Time (ET)
Home
TV
1
Thursday April 12
7 p.m.
Bruins
NBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports
2
Saturday April 14
8 p.m.
Bruins
NBC / CBC / TVA Sports
3
Monday April 16
7 p.m.
Maple Leafs
CBC / TVA Sports / NBCSN
4
Thursday April 19
7 p.m.
Maple Leafs
CBC / TVA Sports / NBCSN
*5
Saturday April 21
TBD
Bruins
TBD
*6
Monday April 23
TBD
Maple Leafs
TBD
*7
Wednesday April 25
TBD
Bruins
TBD
Metropolitan Division
Washington Capitals (M1) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (WC1)
Game
Date
Time (ET)
Home
TV
1
Thursday April 12
7:30 p.m.
Capitals
USA / SN360 / TVA Sports
2
Sunday April 15
7:30 p.m.
Capitals
NBCSN / SN360 / TVA Sports
3
Tuesday April 17
7:30 p.m.
Blue Jackets
NBCSN / SN360 / TVA Sports
4
Thursday April 19
7:30 p.m.
Blue Jackets
USA / SN / TVA Sports
*5
Saturday April 21
TBD
Capitals
TBD
*6
Monday April 23
TBD
Blue Jackets
TBD
*7
Wednesday April 25
TBD
Capitals
TBD
Pittsburgh Penguins (M2) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (M3)
Game
Date
Time (ET)
Home
TV
1
Wednesday April 11
7 p.m.
Penguins
NBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports
2
Friday April 13
7 p.m.
Penguins
NBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports
3
Sunday April 15
3 p.m.
Flyers
NBC / CBC / TVA Sports
4
Wednesday April 18
7 p.m.
Flyers
NBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports
*5
Friday April 20
TBD
Penguins
TBD
*6
Sunday April 22
TBD
Flyers
TBD
*7
Tuesday April 24
TBD
Penguins
TBD
Western Conference
Central Division
Nashville Predators (C1) vs. Colorado Avalanche (WC2)
Game
Date
Time (ET)
Home
TV
1
Thursday April 12
9:30 p.m.
Predators
NBCSN / SN / TVA Sports
2
Saturday April 14
3 p.m.
Predators
NBC / CNBC / SN / TVA Sports
3
Monday April 16
10 p.m.
Avalanche
NBCSN / SN / TVA Sports
4
Wednesday April 18
10 p.m.
Avalanche
NBCSN / SN / TVA Sports
*5
Friday April 20
TBD
Predators
TBD
*6
Sunday April 22
TBD
Avalanche
TBD
*7
Tuesday April 24
TBD
Predators
TBD
Winnipeg Jets (C2) vs. Minnesota Wild (C3)
Game
Date
Time (ET)
Home
TV
1
Wednesday April 11
7 p.m.
Jets
SN / TVA Sports / CNBC
2
Friday April 13
7:30 p.m.
Jets
SN / TVA Sports / USA
3
Sunday April 15
7 p.m.
Wild
USA / SN / TVA Sports
4
Tuesday April 17
8 p.m.
Wild
CNBC / SN / TVA Sports
*5
Friday April 20
TBD
Jets
TBD
*6
Sunday April 22
TBD
Wild
TBD
*7
Wednesday April 25
TBD
Jets
TBD
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights (P1) vs. Los Angeles Kings (WC1)
Game
Date
Time (ET)
Home
TV
1
Wednesday April 11
10 p.m.
Knights
NBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports
2
Friday April 13
10 p.m.
Knights
NBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports
3
Sunday April 15
10:30 p.m.
Kings
NBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports
4
Tuesday April 17
10:30 p.m.
Kings
NBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports
*5
Thursday April 19
10 p.m.
Knights
NBCSN / CBC / TVA Sports
*6
Saturday April 21
TBD
Kings
TBD
*7
Monday April 23
TBD
Knights
TBD
Anaheim Ducks (P2) vs. San Jose Sharks (P3)
Game
Date
Time (ET)
Home
TV
1
Thursday April 12
10:30 p.m.
Ducks
USA / SN360 / TVA Sports
2
Saturday April 14
10:30 p.m.
Ducks
NBCSN / SN360 / TVA Sports
3
Monday April 16
10:30 p.m.
Sharks
CNBC / SN1 / TVA Sports
4
Wednesday April 18
10:30 p.m.
Sharks
GOLF / SN1 / TVA Sports
*5
Friday April 20
TBD
Ducks
TBD
*6
Sunday April 22
TBD
Sharks
TBD
*7
Tuesday April 24
TBD
Ducks
TBD
*If necessary All times Eastern. TBD: To be determined.
When it comes to hockey, it's not just the flow of the game that's important.
While the NHL no longer features Jaromir Jagr's magnificent mullet or Kerry Fraser's stupendously stable pompadour, the league does boast its fair share of laudable lettuce these days.
This is certainly true in other sports as well, but hockey hair is a truly unique and remarkable thing.
Here are the five best flows in the NHL this season:
Brock Boeser
Boeser's resemblance to Prince Charming from "Shrek" has been well documented, and it is a bit uncanny.
Part of the reason for that common comparison is the Vancouver Canucks rookie's stellar mane.
It's not so much the length but the volume that gives Boeser his tremendous flow, and more importantly, the 21-year-old will be in the Calder Trophy conversation despite suffering a season-ending injury in early March.
Mathew Barzal
The Calder favorite's flow might not be the cleanest-looking of the bunch, but it is impressive in its own right.
Barzal, who's running away from the field in the rookie points race, doesn't have the hair volume that his first-year counterpart possesses, but he does appear to have the edge when it comes to length.
Sure, the New York Islanders phenom may not best Boeser in a flow-off, but he should take home the rookie hardware at the NHL Awards in June.
William Nylander
Nylander's play speaks for itself, but the young Toronto Maple Leafs forward's flow only makes him more likable.
The above photo doesn't even fully do it justice (unlike the one on his NHL.com player page), but there's no denying Nylander's hair is among the league's best.
Drew Doughty
Doughty isn't going to make many "most handsome" lists - when he smiles, anyway - thanks to the large gap in his teeth, but the veteran Los Angeles Kings blue-liner does have underrated flow.
Look no further than this if you're in need of any convincing.
While it's mostly young players boasting the best flow these days, Doughty is one of the more seasoned NHLers still holding it down.
Henrik Lundqvist
Seriously, just look at that.
Lundqvist has long set the standard among hockey players in the hair department, and he's still got it.
It was a disappointing season for him and the New York Rangers on the ice, but at least he still holds the crown when it comes to flow.
