prospects but none are expected to play a major role on the 20-21 club, either due to injury (Barrett Hayton) or not enough appearances (Martin Fehervary).
The lineup below is made of players currently in the system as of February 28 who are expected to have enough appearances to be eligible.
Forwards (LW-C-RW)
Dominik Kahun – Ryan Strome – Brock Boeser
Nick Ritchie- Michael Backlund – Rocco Grimaldi
Jason Dickinson – Radek Faksa – Warren Foegele
Taro Hirose - Cody Eakin – Rudolfs Balcers
Reserves – Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Carl Grundstrom
Minors – Barrett Hayton
UFA – Justin Williams, Eric Fehr
RFA (not expected to re-sign) – Marcus Foligno, Brandon Pirri
Defense
Dougie Hamilton – Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Nick Leddy – Brandon Montour
Brett Kulak – Madison Bowey
Reserve – Matt Benning
Minors – Dennis Gilbert
UFA – Nick Holden
Goalies
Jordan Binnington
James Reimer
Cal Petersen
Forwards Analysis
The Millers could ice a top 6 forward corps that could be charitably called below-average. Injuries have hindered the seasons of Boeser, Kahun and Ritchie. Grimaldi and Foegele could end up swapping lines but there’s no major difference production-wise. The projected 3rd line is much more of a traditional shut-down or defensive line that was all the rage 10 to 15 years ago. The 4th line is the island of misfit toys, featuring a disappointing veteran in Eakin and a 2nd year player in Hirose who’s effectively blown his chance to establish himself as an NHL regular. Balcers should eventually settle in as a middle 6 winger. Kotkaniemi has suffered through a brutal sophomore season and is likely to split time with Eakin. Grundstrom simply hasn’t played enough but was minors designated this season. Barring an amazing finish to his NHL season Hayton won’t have the stats to warrant paying his full salary and blowing a year of his entry-level contract. None of the pending UFAs or RFAs warrant a contract befitting a rebuilding club. Despite his production for the current Millers, Pirri has spent the bulk of this NHL season in the AHL and his big-league time was unproductive.
Expect the Millers to sign at least one UFA who could fill a top 6 role and possibly trade for a “bad”
contract that could do the same, assuming the acquisition cost is low and/or assets such as a draft pick
or prospect is attached.
Defense Analysis
Squint hard enough and one could make the case that the Millers have a legit top 4 in Hamilton, Vlasic, Leddy and Montour. Madison Bowey, Brett Kulak and Matt Benning all have serious strengths and weaknesses as they compete for regular spots on the bottom pairing; Bowey can score but is a sieve defensively; Benning has health issues; Kulak is probably the most well-rounded of the 3 but his NHL offensive production has been spotty. Nick Holden has been atrocious for the Millers and the veteran Dman is not expected to be re-signed.
A moderately-priced UFA signing is the most likely solution as the club would want at least one more
semi-reliable blueliner for depth. Dennis Gilbert is best served staying in the minors for the season.
Goaltender Analysis
Netminders are the definite strength of the 20-21 Millers. Binnington is turning in another Vezina-caliber season, Reimer has had a nice season as a backup and Petersen is getting the chance to establish himself as the King’s goalie of the future. If Petersen sees enough game action at the NHL level to be a viable backup he could allow the Millers to shop Reimer for help in other areas.
If Reimer is moved and a G doesn’t come back in a deal expect GEO to sign a cheap 3rd to a one-year contract and hope that they never have to use him.
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