Boston Bruins Sign Kevan Miller To A Two-Year Extension
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Bruins announced today that they have signed defenseman Kevan Miller to a two-year, one-way contract through the 2015-16 season. The contract is worth an annual cap figure of $800,000. Miller has played 16 games this season in the NHL and he has recorded one goal and one assist with an even plus/minus rating. Kevan Miller plays a tough, physical game who is a hard player to play against. He is a strong player and his abilities were best demonstrated in the game yesterday against the Los Angeles Kings.
Before joining the Providence Bruins in 2011, Miller played four seasons at the University of Vermont. He played 144 games there, where he recorded five goals and 25 assists. Miller said after yesterday’s game that he gets more confidence with playing extra minutes.
"When guys get out of the line-up like Seids [Dennis Seidenberg] and [Dougie] Hamilton more responsibility falls on the guys in the line-up and it is obviously a confidence booster."
By signing this contract this could open the door for one of the other defenseman being traded or even Miller himself being traded. Last season defenseman Matt Bartkowski signed a one-way contract and then he was almost traded in the Jarome Iginla trade before the Calgary Flames decided to chose the Pittsburgh Penguins’ trade offer. It would not be surprising if Miller or one of the other defenseman is traded before the trade deadline.
Bruins coach Claude Julien has shown more confidence in recent games with all the other defenseman being injured. Julien liked what he saw from Miller yesterday.
"Big body, threw some heavy checks, and was a big factor in our win today because again, we’re a little young back there."
This signing is good for both the Bruins and Miller. It gives the Bruins flexibility in trading some of their defenseman and it also gives the Bruins a low cap hit for a solid defensive defenseman. The contract extension is also good for Miller because it gives him job security through the 2015-2016 season at a reasonable salary.
It will be interesting to see whether the Bruins make a trade in the coming weeks as a result of this signing.