The Dallas Stars are bolstering their defensive depth, signing Colin Miller to a two-year deal at $1.85MM per season. General manager Jim Nill released a short statement on the deal:
Colin is a puck-moving defenseman that will add experience and a right shot to our defensive core. We are excited to have him under contract with our organization for the next two years.
Though he has done something of a disappearing act over the last few seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, there was a time when Miller was an extremely effective player for the Vegas Golden Knights. In 2017-18 he racked up ten goals and 41 points, while dishing out 165 hits and logging more than 19 minutes a night. The right-shot defenseman has a cannon from the point and enough skating ability to keep up with the play.
Over the last few years though, the story has been injury and inconsistency, as his profile dropped in Buffalo. In 2021-22 he played just 38 games, registering 14 points.
Unfortunately, he’s stepping into pretty big shoes in Dallas, where the Stars are potentially losing John Klingberg (though that hasn’t actually been decided yet, with the free agent defenseman still unsigned) and missing out on acquiring Brent Burns. Miller shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for either of those offensive puck-movers, though he can still offer something that the likes of Jani Hakanpaa can’t on the right side.
No matter what, the Dallas defense is going to be anchored by 22-year-old stud Miro Heiskanen but Miller should offer some nice depth at the position while the Stars continue to try and compete in the Central Division.