With concern looming that the Anaheim Ducks were going to take Miller with the number 23 pick, New York packaged their #26 and #48 picks to move up to 22 and make sure they got their man.
While player development is not exactly a linear path, it does help to use past players as a model to work with. Players from college are at a different level of development than those who come from junior hockey.
The NCAA now produces a comparable level of talent to the junior hockey path and the Ranger organization is a testament to that.