I was really impressed by Miller this year. Making the team was nice to see, but to stay up with the club, and come back strong after shifts and periods where he definitely faced some rookie adversity. It’s rare that rookie defenseman don’t have real slide periods, that require sitting some games or hitting the minors for a bit. This season there was basically ZERO refinement coaching. We’ve heard Valiquette and Quinn talk about it often enough; one game ends and you go right into your scouting work up for the next game.
with so little time for correction, I could’ve easily seen Miller bounce in and out of the line-up when he struggled. But he didn’t, and I can’t remember a back to back where his rookie struggles seemed outside of whatever team struggles were going on.
before this season I saw him more as potential trade bait, the kind of player that can get added to a potential killer of a trade. Now I see such a bright future for him, I worry that trading him would be one of Steve Dangle’s trade tree nightmares.
I cannot agree with this enough. He is SO solid. Sure he made some ugly rookie mistakes. The kid literally turned 21 this year. He's a baby! I expect a really solid career out of him.
My overperformers:
Buch
Strome
Smitty
Blackwell - I really like this dude!
Mr. Kravs, a.k.a The Vitalian Stallion - I know we only got a short look at the kid, but man... I am REALLY excited for his future here.
As expected:
Foxy! -I don't think this was a fluke season, nor do I think we've even seen the best out of him yet. This kid is Leetch 2.0. We expected special and we got it.
Mika - Once he fully recovered from Covid, he was good old Mika. Giving him a pass here because of that stuff.
Lindgren - We all know he's a rock solid d-man.
Trouba - though in a different way. He really took his game to a different place. I actually liked him this season.
Kakko - When you have a coaching staff that constantly misuses him, this is what you get.
Underperformers:
With some exceptions, everyone else. Exceptions being guys like Laff and Jones. Everyone else was average at best. Shesty was very, very average. I know it was a weird season, so I'm willing to write it off.
Bowels of the team:
Quinn
Krieder