Miller's Musings

 It’s a new year and the Millers offices have endured 2 Winter Storms in the past week, bringing over 15 inches of snow and a half-inch of ice to Georgetown. In the rink the Millers have been on fire recently, winning their last 6 games going into this weekend’s schedule after a recent slump. 

Trade Deadline

The trade deadline is less than 1 week away, and the question is will the Millers continue to wheel and deal as they have much of the season, or are they going to ride this current roster into the stretch drive and (hopefully) the playoffs?

Below is a look at the current roster and where any additions might come in handy. 

Goalies - Cam Talbot has been great since his acquisition, and Connor Ingram continues to win when he’s in the lineup, so the Millers look to be set in net. Jake Allen is a capable #3, and Lukas Dostal is next season’s presumptive starter, so don’t expect any changes here. 

Defensemen - The Millers have seemingly settled on their main 6, with Jake Walman capable of filling in anywhere as needed as the 7th D but he has shown a tendency to be over-exposed if asked to play too regularly. The team does not have a true #1 Defender but lately the unit has done well. The current top pair of K’Andre Miller and Mario Ferraro is not typically what one envisions of a team looking for a deep playoff run, but D prices are exorbitant and the Millers have not seen anyone offered that they consider to be worth the acquisition cost. If the right player came at the right price a move could be made. UPDATE: Nick Leddy and John Marino acquired. More info below. 

Forwards - The top line of Larkin/Armia/Necas has been solid and occasionally spectacular, but the Malkin and Henrique lines have been inconsistent. Dylan Guenther has been snakebit at even strength, with just 4 goals and a shooting % around 4 percent at 5 on 5. He remains productive on the power play, but the Millers have brought in Mathieu Joseph as a bottom 6 forward who could potentially replace Guenther on the 3rd line and let the rookie concentrate on his man-advantage duties from the 4th line. More on Joseph below. Will he be the last forward move the Millers make before the trade deadline?

Mathieu Joseph Acquired

Mathieu Joseph was acquired from Amos for prospect D Marc-Andre Gaudet and Georgetown’s 4th round pick in 2025. Gaudet put up great numbers in the QMJHL but has spent the last couple of years in the ECHL. 

Joseph can play both wings, is a good skater, plays a physical game, can kill penalties and has some under appreciated passing skills. The Malkin line has been strong recently with Andrew Copp settling in alongside Trevor Lewis as wingers, so Joseph is most likely going to be in the bottom 6. Who he replaces is the question; it’s likely to be one of Jordan Martinook or Luke Glendening. The Millers could rotate the wingers around Casey Cizikas until the right combination is found. The team should finally be comfortable with their forward depth, as any of Adam Henrique, Blake Coleman , Joseph and Guenther could play up the lineup as needed. 

Nick Leddy and John Marino Acquired

Saturday afternoon the Millers made a major trade with Chippewa, sending K’Andre Miller and prospect defender Cade Webber northward for Ds Nick Leddy and John Marino. 

Cade Webber is a physically massive (6’7”) defensive prospect who came through Boston University and is currently in the AHL. At 24 his ceiling isn’t high, but his size and decent skating and puck skills should get him a look as a 3rd pair D and penalty killer soon. 

K’Andre Miller was once viewed as an untouchable building block for the Millers but his so-so 24-25 NHL season with the struggling Rangers, including a significant drop-off in his offensive production from 2 years ago, made him expendable as Georgetown sought an immediate upgrade for the stretch run. Miller still has outstanding physical tools and is just 25 so he could right the ship and fulfill his potential as a top-pairing defenseman. 

Nick Leddy is a former Miller, and returns for what is possibly his last CCHL season. Injuries have decimated his 24-25 NHL season, and at 34 there may not be a comeback in the offing. If it is the end of the line the Millers would like to send Leddy out on a high note, hoping he can replace Miller on the top pair with Mario Ferraro and also on the special teams units. Superior skating has always been Leddy’s hallmark, and his strong passing, defensive game and ability to soak up minutes should bolster the club’s blue line down the stretch. 

John Marino doesn’t have an immediate spot in the lineup, but the 27 year-old is also a strong defender and capable puck-handler. He’s likely to supplant Jake Walman as the 7th defender. The pending RFA is expected to be extended in the off-season, and although his 24-25 NHL season hasn’t even started due to injury, he’s expected to return soon and is likely to see himself used as a bottom pair or depth defender for the Millers in 25-26, with the hope that a return to health in the next NHL season sees him filling a larger role in 26-27. 

Although void of superstars, Millers brass feels that their current blue line depth matches that of any CCHL club, with a good mix of offense, defense and 2-way players.