Boston Bruins: Kevan Miller Being ‘Low-Mileage’

When the Boston Bruins signed defenseman Kevan Miller to a four-year deal, the media lit up Don Sweeney. They saw this is as another serious mistake by the Bruins general manager.  $2.5 million for four years for a 5th-6th blueliner. By and large, the fans seem to agree with this.

This was Don Sweeney’s defense of signing Miller.

“Kevan brings incredible character. His signing provides us with the necessary depth on our defense that all teams need. His relative low-mileage, having just played 160 games, we identified that we think Kevan has room for continued growth and development,” said Sweeney.

More from Bruins News

• Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
• Bruins bringing back familiar forward on tryout contract
• The Bruins should take a look at these four free agents
• NHL Network lists Ullmark as sixth-best goalie in the league
• The Lasting Legacy of David Krejci

“We certainly saw that in his play this year when he had an expanded role. Relative to the free market place, very, very comfortable with where Kevan fits into our group, and this provides us with the opportunity to explore the marketplace in every way, shape, or form, in having Kevan signed.”

Sweeney cites Miller’s relatively low-mileage. Sweeney’s happy that Miller has only 160 NHL games to his credit (at 29 years old).  If you look at Miller’s career, there are a few more dents on the paint job than are advertised.

More from Causeway Crowd

• Harrison, Toporowski shine in Prospects Challenge
• Obscure former Boston Bruins: Steven Kampfer
• Bruins release Prospects Challenge roster, schedule Tuesday
• Bruins release full “Historic 100” list ahead of season
• McAvoy, Lucic named to “Historic 100” list over the weekend

While his career has been short in the NHL, there are a list of injuries. Two years ago, he dislocated his right shoulder in a fight against Nicolas Deslauriers. He was out for a month. He’s re-aggravated that injury several times over the last two years, causing him to miss games. Miller’s also had one serious concussion that sidelined him last November.

The Bruins now have bookends in their bottom pair. Both players are overpaid. Both players are often injured. Both players don’t bring enough production, and both have shown serious lapses in their defensive play.

We could be wrong. The fans and the media might have missed something about Kevan Miller. It’s true he played a much stronger second half of the season last year. He did get better as he went along. Maybe Sweeney is seeing something in him that we’re not.

At this point, I’d say it’s unlikely, but it’s possible.