Player Discussion Colin Miller

[BruinDust]

Belesky
Hayes
Schaller
Moore
Acciari
Nash
Backes
Kevan Miller
McQuaid
Chara
Liles

I dont think Chara and Backes belong on this list as they are big skilled players. Chara is old as well.

The rest of those guys have 11 combined points.

Grind away the Julien way.

Based on the definition in my OP, they do belong.

That's doesn't mean it's a knock on Backes or Chara, just adding emphasis that they also fill the same type of role as the rest of the these guys in that they bring the same attributes. It's just with Backes and Chara they also bring other things to the table like some skill.

I'm watching the Rangers just hammer the Jets. All 4 lines are just coming at them, Winnipeg has no answer for it. That's how you build a forward group in the modern NHL, 4 lines that can skate like the wind and score, you could argue there isn't a single "grinder" out of all 12 forwards.

It becomes more and more apparent each year that this management team and coaching staff are out of touch with today's game. Fact is, it's been Sweeney who has chosen to load up on Belesky, Backes, Rinaldo, Hayes, Moore, Nash, Schaller, etc. the past two off-seasons.

Back to Colin Miller, when, not if, he's scratched for Kevan Miller, will only further emphasize the disconnect between Boston decision makers and the modern NHL.

I'm ready for the post-Claude era, he's a great coach, but like some other great coaches and past cup winners like Sutter and Tortorella, the game has evolved and the type of player they prefer and need to execute their tired gameplan is going the way of the dinosaur.

The only thing that makes me worry about firing Claude is they won't clean house an fire that loser Joe Sacco, and Butch Cassidy will end up as the new bench boss, which I don't want to see.

 

[chizzler]

Based on the definition in my OP, they do belong.

That's doesn't mean it's a knock on Backes or Chara, just adding emphasis that they also fill the same type of role as the rest of the these guys in that they bring the same attributes. It's just with Backes and Chara they also bring other things to the table like some skill.

I'm watching the Rangers just hammer the Jets. All 4 lines are just coming at them, Winnipeg has no answer for it. That's how you build a forward group in the modern NHL, 4 lines that can skate like the wind and score, you could argue there isn't a single "grinder" out of all 12 forwards.

It becomes more and more apparent each year that this management team and coaching staff are out of touch with today's game. Fact is, it's been Sweeney who has chosen to load up on Belesky, Backes, Rinaldo, Hayes, Moore, Nash, Schaller, etc. the past two off-seasons.

Back to Colin Miller, when, not if, he's scratched for Kevan Miller, will only further emphasize the disconnect between Boston decision makers and the modern NHL.

I'm ready for the post-Claude era, he's a great coach, but like some other great coaches and past cup winners like Sutter and Tortorella, the game has evolved and the type of player they prefer and need to execute their tired gameplan is going the way of the dinosaur.

The only thing that makes me worry about firing Claude is they won't clean house an fire that loser Joe Sacco, and Butch Cassidy will end up as the new bench boss, which I don't want to see.

You know he's next. I'm not a fan of the coaching staff at all. Even JFK behind the scenes troubles me.

 

[Ratty]

You know he's next. I'm not a fan of the coaching staff at all. Even JFK behind the scenes troubles me.

But JFK won't be ready for the pros for another year or two.

 

[Mr. Make-Believe]

You know he's next. I'm not a fan of the coaching staff at all. Even JFK behind the scenes troubles me.

I've personally never believed in the Lone Gunman BS.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

I've personally never believed in the Lone Gunman BS.

Agreed.

Unless you're talking about the X-Files lone gunmen.

 

[chizzler]

But JFK won't be ready for the pros for another year or two.

I know. Oops JFJ, better?

 

[BergyWho37]

Last night is exactly what I want Bruins to do as far as C Miller set up his onetimer to succeed.

Krech and him shoot the same way so why not set this guy up on first PP unit ?

 

[TMac21]

He was feeling it last night, really engaged physically and nice to see him finally hit the net with his one timer.

 

[Dr Hook]

Chiller is getting better It seems that of late he has really taken on board some of the things the coaching staff has asked him to improve on- especially the puck management side. He's been decent defensively too. He'll never be a shut down guy, but in my view he is more solid defensively that he looked last season and at the start of this one. I hope his progress continues, because we need him playing at the level his talent suggests he can. So much better it is for us when we can get what we want out of our current guys than have to trade him and go shopping or start over with a new young guy and possibly go through the same painful learning curve.

 

[Pia8988]

Last night is exactly what I want Bruins to do as far as C Miller set up his onetimer to succeed.

Krech and him shoot the same way so why not set this guy up on first PP unit ?

Because for the most part, Colin is really really bad on the point on the PP. He's a much worse passer and his shot efficiency actually goes down on the PP.

This team doesn't really have a great option for a RHS at the point currently on the roster. Doesn't help that 3/4th of their RHD core are not good offensively.

 

[Brewins]

Because for the most part, Colin is really really bad on the point on the PP. He's a much worse passer and his shot efficiency actually goes down on the PP.

This team doesn't really have a great option for a RHS at the point currently on the roster. Doesn't help that 3/4th of their RHD core are not good offensively.

His use on the pp should be in a revamped pp situation, firing one timers from the pasta/ovi spot.

 

[s3antana5757]

Chiller is getting better It seems that of late he has really taken on board some of the things the coaching staff has asked him to improve on- especially the puck management side. He's been decent defensively too. He'll never be a shut down guy, but in my view he is more solid defensively that he looked last season and at the start of this one. I hope his progress continues, because we need him playing at the level his talent suggests he can. So much better it is for us when we can get what we want out of our current guys than have to trade him and go shopping or start over with a new young guy and possibly go through the same painful learning curve.

Yeah he seems much better with the puck on his stick and in the corners. I agree he'll never be a shut down guy, but could be really good as a bottom pairing guy with Carlo/McAvoy occupying the RH top 4 going forward.

 

[chizzler]

Yeah he seems much better with the puck on his stick and in the corners. I agree he'll never be a shut down guy, but could be really good as a bottom pairing guy with Carlo/McAvoy occupying the RH top 4 going forward.

Who knows? I still think both Colin and Morrow aren't going to be around long term.

 

[s3antana5757]

Who knows? I still think both Colin and Morrow aren't going to be around long term.

I could definitely see them going that way also. I certainly hope not, but I would imagine you're going to lose one of those guys in the expansion draft. But you never know. I just hope he keeps playing well in the meantime.

 

[rocketdan9]

Impressed with C. millers play these days.. just looks more decisive out there... Skating well, shooting the puck more

 

[BruinDust]

I hope Colin continues his strong play, and makes choosing the 3rd D-man Boston protects from expansion a no-brainer.

 

[DominicT]

His best game of the season by far. Now, if he can only keep it up.

I'm looking to tomorrow to see if it's clicking or if it was because he was playing his old team. We know how players raise their game when facing his old team.

 

[Greek_physique]

Dude looked like a legit top 4 dman yesterday.

Loved the way he was demanding the puck on the PP.

K.Miller needs to go. He almost cost us the game in the 3rd.

 

[22Brad Park]

I have been saying all along Colin Miller should be playing.That guy has a cannon.No way I sit that weapon on a team that cannot find offence.

 

[Alberta_OReilly_Fan]

Based on the definition in my OP, they do belong.

That's doesn't mean it's a knock on Backes or Chara, just adding emphasis that they also fill the same type of role as the rest of the these guys in that they bring the same attributes. It's just with Backes and Chara they also bring other things to the table like some skill.

I'm watching the Rangers just hammer the Jets. All 4 lines are just coming at them, Winnipeg has no answer for it. That's how you build a forward group in the modern NHL, 4 lines that can skate like the wind and score, you could argue there isn't a single "grinder" out of all 12 forwards.

It becomes more and more apparent each year that this management team and coaching staff are out of touch with today's game. Fact is, it's been Sweeney who has chosen to load up on Belesky, Backes, Rinaldo, Hayes, Moore, Nash, Schaller, etc. the past two off-seasons.

Back to Colin Miller, when, not if, he's scratched for Kevan Miller, will only further emphasize the disconnect between Boston decision makers and the modern NHL.

I'm ready for the post-Claude era, he's a great coach, but like some other great coaches and past cup winners like Sutter and Tortorella, the game has evolved and the type of player they prefer and need to execute their tired gameplan is going the way of the dinosaur.

The only thing that makes me worry about firing Claude is they won't clean house an fire that loser Joe Sacco, and Butch Cassidy will end up as the new bench boss, which I don't want to see.

You build a winning team by having a team that wins. When Philly won cups the key was to be tough. When Montreal won, speed was the key. And when new Jersey won you needed to trap.

I've watched hockey for over 40 years and it's always been the same... you copy the winning team.

When Philly won there were bad tough teams
When Montreal won there was bad fast teams.
When Edmonton won there was bad offensive teams
And when jersey won there was bad trap teams

Being a bad team is always bad
Being a good team is always good

Speed helps... but there are bad fast teams even today

Oilers philosophy for 30 years is speed speed and more speed...

Rico fata was one of the fastest skaters I ever saw. Glen Carr was super fast and he's famous now I guess.

I've watched hockey 40 years. I watched Detroit dominate a good part of the last - 20 years loading their bottom line-up with 35+ slow vets because these guys were hof talents. Not all 35+ vets are created equal.

When Detroit wasn't winning, new Jersey was because they had depth too... slow trapping depth.

We won because we had depth

It's about matchup at playoff time. You need your goalie to be better than theirs... your special teams better... your scorers better... your team defense better

If you can do this AND be fast... bonus

But there's a lot of very bad fast players

One thing you and I agree on... we have too many roster spots filled with guys that won't win matchup against the deepest teams.

Where you and I might disagree is how easy it is to get depth in a cap league where we are one of the 3 most successful franchises over the past decade. Success leads to paydays... see Bryan bickell or Dustin Brown for exhibits 1 and 2... Success lowers draft position. We never had a 5-6 YEAR period of suck to get a toews and Kane or a kopitar and doughty when we put down our foundation. Sometimes luck is involved cause our high picks Seguin and Hamilton clearly weren't the same quality guys

In a 30 team league will anyone stay on top more than 5 years or so? How many teams will get close and not win it all? Will Washington win with all their speed?

This isn't so cut and dried simple. But I agree boston needs to upgrade some positions if we want to win m atchups up and down the lineup on a more consistent basis

 

[Alberta_OReilly_Fan]

Because for the most part, Colin is really really bad on the point on the PP. He's a much worse passer and his shot efficiency actually goes down on the PP.

This team doesn't really have a great option for a RHS at the point currently on the roster. Doesn't help that 3/4th of their RHD core are not good offensively.

Colin miller is reminding me of Jeff jilson or Shannon morrisson. I was a HUGE supporter of giving these guys a chance but I was wrong then.

Size and skating and shot don't always equal a good dman.

 

[wintersej]

^^^ love this post. (edit, not the Jilison post, the big long one)

Just because more teams are running a 2-1-2 doesn't mean its a different sport. When the Bruins won, everyone ran to get their little wanna-be Lucic. When Chicago won everyone started talking about speed on the backend. When LA won it was back to toughness. Then everyone decided "oh, you need an elite 2-way C, and a #1D to win a Cup". Then Pittsburgh won and you need elite speed.

Until some team clogs up Pittsburgh and beats the snot out of them.

You need the best collection of talent, in whatever way that manifests itself, and a team philosophy that makes them greater than the sum of their parts.

Honestly, chasing after what everyone else is doing might be the dumbest thing you can do. Zig when others zag. More Moneyball way of thinking.

 

[bp13]

You won't find too many guys who supported and probably overrated Miller than me, right up until November of this season. But I think he is what he is at this point. Not sure we should make too much of one good game. He and Morrow have had these games before but the chances it's some "next step" just become increasingly unlikely if you ask me. Hope I'm wrong but at this point I'd take a solid #6 with puck skills.

 

[Alan Ryan]

You won't find too many guys who supported and probably overrated Miller than me, right up until November of this season. But I think he is what he is at this point. Not sure we should make too much of one good game. He and Morrow have had these games before but the chances it's some "next step" just become increasingly unlikely if you ask me. Hope I'm wrong but at this point I'd take a solid #6 with puck skills.

If either C. Miller or Morrow can be a solid #6 with good puck skills that will really help going forward.

 

[s3antana5757]

If either C. Miller or Morrow can be a solid #6 with good puck skills that will really help going forward.

I think this is kind of where my expectations for C. Miller have settled. I think he'd be a great bottom pairing RHD behind Carlo and McAvoy, with some games(like the LA game) where he plays like a top 4 guy. Skills are without a question prevalent, just doesn't think the game at a high level. I can see the improvement, but I would be totally ok with him at that role for many years to come.