40#1Fan 0 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Wings claim Miller off waiversFourth-year forward played in 14 games with Tampa Bay this seasonWednesday, 11.11.2009 / 12:23 PM / News By Bill Roose - DetroitRedWings.com Managing Editor DETROIT -- The Red Wings claimed veteran forward and former Michigan State standout Drew Miller off of waivers Wednesday afternoon. Miller, 25, played in 14 games this season for the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he was scoreless with a minus-3 rating. Miller will be expected to add some offensive depth to the Wings who have been bitten by early-season injuries to Johan Franzen (ACL), Valtteri Filppula (wrist) and Jason Williams (fibula), who will miss significant time. Miller was the 10th of a long line of Millers to play collegiately at Michigan State, part of a legacy that includes 56 seasons in the NHL, 28 varsity letters and two Hobey Baker awards. Miller is the younger brother of Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller. Miller becomes the second in his family to play for the Red Wings. His cousin, Kevin Miller, a former 13-year NHL veteran, played in Detroit for three seasons. He scored 25 goals with 30 assists in 95 games. A sixth-round pick by the Anaheim Ducks in 2003, Miller was trade to the Lightning in August for forward Evgeny Artyukhin. Miller cut his NHL teeth during the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs, playing in three games, including two during the finals against Ottawa, subbing for an injured Chris Kunitz on a line with Teemu Selanne and Andy McDonald. In two seasons with the Ducks, Miller scored six goals with nine assists in 53 games. Miller is expected to be available for the Red Wings' game against the Vancouver Canucks at Joe Louis Arena on Thursday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedWings Gone Wild 6 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 This pickup basically translates to: Just because there are injuries, doesn't mean Leino, Maltby, May, Eaves, and Abdelkader are all guaranteed playing time. As much as anything, this is probably designed to light a fire under some of the guys who have been slacking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mule 0 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Welcome to Hockeytown, Miller. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Classic Holland. Ignore your hardworking minor leaguers and pick up a guy that has zero points in 14 games. Lovely. Miller is on a two-way contract. Those hardworking minor leaguers just got themselves a teammate. Miller won't be here for 60 games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyphoenix 153 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 (edited) Interesting move. He had 15 points in two seasons at a combined 56 games for the Ducks and what exactly is he expected to do here? EDIT: Actually, he will probably play most of the season with the Griffins, if not the whole season. I guess its good to have some experienced guys down there to help the noobs. Edited November 11, 2009 by skyphoenix Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icesurfer 75 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 (edited) Article about Miller written March 2009. At least help on the PK: Miller's Versatility Maybe this is Wing's year to revive some players....LOL. I think ii is a great move..... certainly more upside than downside and he didn't cost much.... you never know. After spending time with the Wings and learning some things he might do very well. Eaves certainly looks better. And the guy has speed!!!! Like the guys with SPEED! Edited November 11, 2009 by Icesurfer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 hes not that good but has experience just in case, will be decent in GR prob. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheWestWing 71 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 wow... haven't seen the Wings make a waiver claim in a long time... that's odd to hear... Why do you assume he's going to be playing in the NHL? All I can say is... why? DETROIT PLAYER POS DESCRIPTION Patrick Eaves F Day-to-Day (bruised foot) Valtteri Filppula F Out Indefinitely (wrist injury) Johan Franzen F Out Indefinitely (knee injury) Brett Lebda D Day-to-Day (illness) Andreas Lilja D Out Indefinitely (head injury) Brad May F Day-to-Day (blurry vision) Jason Williams F Out Indefinitely (broken leg) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rivalred 630 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 (edited) DETROIT PLAYER POS DESCRIPTION Patrick Eaves F Day-to-Day (bruised foot) Valtteri Filppula F Out Indefinitely (wrist injury) Johan Franzen F Out Indefinitely (knee injury) Brett Lebda D Day-to-Day (illness) Andreas Lilja D Out Indefinitely (head injury) Brad May F Day-to-Day (blurry vision) Jason Williams F Out Indefinitely (broken leg) Excuses... Eaves - has another leg to skate on Filppula - tape the stick to his hand and let him block shots Franzen - has another leg to skate on Lebda - what else is new - turnoveritis Lilja - vacation is over May - pirates wear eye patches and go to work, why can't him Williams - at least he did not injure his face Edited November 11, 2009 by Rivalred Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeymom1960 5,107 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Excuses... Eaves - has another leg to skate on Filppula - tape the stick to his hand and let him block shots Franzen - has another leg to skate on Lebda - what else is new - turnoveritis Lilja - vacation is over May - pirates wear eye patches and go to work, why can't him Williams - at least he did not injure his face Lol...^This. Just a bunch of fricken wimps they are. Walk it off *******!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uk_redwing 495 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Grand Rapids need some extra skill. This'll do nicely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EuroTwin 240 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 That was a great goal. I'm excited! I knew Drew in high school and middle school, we graduated together. He's a good kid and it'll be fun to watch him play. Granted, I'm mostly excited because when I see him on TV, I get to point and go I KNOW HIM, lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anthonyn66 89 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 I thought that Erik Christensen would've been a better pick-up. He has actually shown something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Excuses... Eaves - has another leg to skate on Filppula - tape the stick to his hand and let him block shots Franzen - has another leg to skate on Lebda - what else is new - turnoveritis Lilja - vacation is over May - pirates wear eye patches and go to work, why can't him Williams - at least he did not injure his face This made me laugh. You should be a GM. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FireCaptain 563 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 < tin foil hat mode ON > You guys are missing the real reason. Holland is using Drew to lure Ryan here in the same way he used Kopetsky to lure Hossa. Kenny Holland is the ultimate puppetmaster. OK, either that or we've got lots of injuries. Sure, if you want to believe that load of hogwash. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest E_S_A_D Report post Posted November 11, 2009 You're all very right. Holland has a master plan, in fact, I think Holland is going to develop him into the prodigy he was supposed to be... errrrrrrr wait, that's Eaves. I gotta admit though, the 3 under par is terrific that Miller had. At least he's a MSU guy, not the Wolverines- they're awful. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icesurfer 75 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 I thought that Erik Christensen would've been a better pick-up. He has actually shown something. Christensen's $750,000 one-way contract would NOT have worked. The Wings' cap situation and return of the injured players at a later date has basically limited the Wings to 2-way contracts unless they plan on trading someone or waiving someone later. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilmrt 636 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 I thought that Erik Christensen would've been a better pick-up. He has actually shown something. Agreed. I don't know why Holland wouldn't have picked up Christensen over Drew Miller. He has 42 goals/98 points out of 218 NHL games....and hes the same age, 25. Not only that, hes a bigger guy than Miller. WTF Holland? The only thing I figure is the Wings' scouts saw something we can't. Miller did have decent numbers in college and the AHL, but hasn't adjusted to the NHL well yet. Diamond in the rough? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShanahanMan 473 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Not a fan of this signing. He does nothing our guys on the Griffins can't do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Lidstromboli Report post Posted November 11, 2009 a rooster from the slot would be pretty nice Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadaBoy 151 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Scouting Report Assets * Has an excellent work ethic and above-average offensive instincts. Will play through traffic. Flaws * Has been unable to translate his offensive acumen to the pro game. Needs to add a lot of bulk to compete like he can at the NHL level. Career Potential * Top-six winger. http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54515/Drew_Miller Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjm502 165 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 Not a fan of this signing. He does nothing our guys on the Griffins can't do. It just gives us more depth, and stacks the team up down in Grand Rapids. Im all for it, he is pretty solid defensively, and is fast. He could put on some more weight, which im sure he will. 6'2 170 is slim, especially for an NHL'er. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest E_S_A_D Report post Posted November 11, 2009 I absolutely can't stand Holland's distaste for physical players. Kris Newbury is leading the team with 10 points, has some fights, and plays physical every game. What gives? We sign this guy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightfall 871 Report post Posted November 11, 2009 (edited) Holland has a plan... You would think after all the winning seasons, playoff appearances, president's trophies, and stanley cups we have won since Holland has been GM that we would just assume that he does have a plan. This isn't Charles Wang making some dumb move to sign someone to a 20 year deal. Holland needs to veteran leadership and he has already taken away the AHL's best players from the Griffins. The rest of the Griffins squad needs time to get some experience in the minors. Holland has a plan... Edited November 11, 2009 by Nightfall Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
