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Boston Bruins: This Will Be Colin Miller’s Year

By Andrew Thompson

Nov 23, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins defenseman Colin Miller (48) skates with the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Bruins beat the Maple Leafs 4-3 in the shootout. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins defenseman Colin Miller (48) skates with the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Bruins beat the Maple Leafs 4-3 in the shootout. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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This could be a breakthrough year for Boston Bruins defenseman Colin Miller.

When Colin Miller came over from Los Angeles as part of the Milan Lucic deal, fans were generally excited. Miller has the potential to be the next Zdeno Chara for the Bruins franchise. He possesses an incredible shot (105 mph) and his hockey IQ has done nothing but improve in his half-season with the B’s last year.

It was a tough transition year for Colin Miller last season with the Bruins. He only played 42 games with Boston before he was sent back down to Providence. This move was made mostly because he didn’t need to be waived. Claude Julien‘s blind faith in his veterans also played a part in his demotion to the AHL.

Colin Miller has all the things the Bruins want in their defenseman. He is better in transition than some of the B’s current blueliners. He’s certainly faster than all of them. He’s also possesses a certain level of grit that is treasured by Cam Neely.

This is the year where the 23-year old Miller will finally breakthrough and become a full-time NHL player. Dennis Seidenberg‘s buyout certainly helps Miller, as there will be one less veteran for Julien to shine on. But there are several other players on the team that will help Colin Miller make the cut this season.

Adam McQuaid is one of them. The Boston Bruins still believe McQuaid can play top-four minutes. While I’m hopeful this will be the case, it doesn’t seem likely. While he’s not terrible as a bottom-pair player, the Bruins still think he’s got the ability to find another level to his game. A stay-at-home defenseman is becoming more and more of a liability as the NHL game gets faster.

At 29, McQuaid should be in his prime as a NHL defenseman.  McQuaid has been severely unlucky in his career, having been through serious injuries nearly every season. There’s also his overall production. McQuaid has 10 goals in seven years. Last season, he had one goal and 89 penalty minutes. Statistically speaking, that’s Zac Rinaldo bad.

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Finally, a stay-at-home defenseman is becoming more and more of a liability as the NHL game gets faster.

Kevan Miller is the other. The Boston Bruins are convinced that Kevan Miller should remain on the top-pair with Chara. Is Miller a bad player? No, but he’s also 29 and is at the peak of his skill set.

Miller is another bottom-pair player who got promoted due to injuries. He does well against bottom-six forwards but has trouble keeping up with other team’s top lines. If the Bruins continue with that plan, they’ll fail to make the playoffs again.

Colin Miller (barring injury or surprise trade) should be part of the team on opening night.  He’s part of the Bruins youth movement. He has the skill set to make the team.

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