No he isn’t. At best he replaces Strome but there’s a reason that even when the Jets had a massive hole at 2C they didn’t play Copp there. Jets fans have been saying even before Copp was traded that he’s a good 2LW or 3C. He is not a good fit for 2C. He can run with it for a bit but he’s definitely not a longer term (2-3 years out) option
The Rangers never gave Miller an opportunity at center when he was here. The traded Stepan and they didn't give Miller the opportunity to take Stepan's spot. The Rangers gave Hayes the opportunity.
Calgary had Sam Bennett and they didn't know what to do with him. He played some center. He played some left wing. Eventually Calgary traded him to Florida and Bennett became Florida's #2 center behind Barkov. Bennett had 15 points in 10 games for Florida last season. He has scored 26 goals this season in 56 games. 18 goals was his highest goal output in one season in Calgary.
If you had asked the Rangers and Flames fans about their players, they would have said those players are better wingers than centers because of the way those teams used those players.
Many of these teams don't like playing young players at center. They put them on the wing. There is more defensive responsibility at center. They don't trust them.
The Rangers don't need another #1 type center.