Boston Bruins: Who fills in for Kevan Miller?
Oct 16, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty (67) collides with Boston Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller (86) during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Last Saturday night during the Bruins-Sabres game, B’s defenseman Kevan Miller got into a fight with Sabres’ forward Nicolas Deslauriers. After that fight, Miller left the fight and did not return to the game. At the time, it was regarded as an upper body injury by Bruins head coach Claude Julien. “I don’t know exactly what the injury is, so I will refrain from saying anything,” said the coach postgame.
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The Bruins went on to win that game 4-0. They improved their season record to 3-4 with that win.
The Bruins organization announced an update on Miller’s condition this afternoon. At the end of the fight, both players went down hard on the ice. At that time, Miller’s right shoulder became dislocated. In the released statement, Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli has stated that he will be out indefinitely. There is no known time table for his return.
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Kevan Miller had played in six games for Boston. He had two shots, and led the team with a +4. He’s a solid defenseman for the Bruins, and his injury leaves the Bruins with limited options in replacing him.
Matt Bartkowski will be the logical (if not favored) choice to end up in his position. Bartkowski had only played in one game so far this season, and that game had him not playing at his best. He was a -2 with one shot on net. Bartkowski is a decent player, but in his fourth season playing with the Bruins, he still tends to make those minor mental mistakes that a player at the NHL level shouldn’t be making.
It will make the most sense to pair Bartkowski with the solid Dennis Seidenberg for the time being. Dougie Hamilton has made enormous strides being paired with Bruins captain Zdeno Chara, and the same thing can happen there. They both play a similar style game and they both speak fluent German.
The Bruins will probably call up David Warsofsky to help shoulder the burden left by Miller’s absence.