A poster child for the term "development," Miller has put early growing pains behind him and has come along exceptionally well since converting from forward to defense as a bantam during his 2014-15 season.
A powerful skater with soft hands and a howitzer of a shot, the greatest leaps in Miller's development have come in his confidence getting up in the rush. It took some time to learn the ropes defensively upon settling in with the U.S. National Team Development Program, but it's clear that he's flipped the switch where his mind is now freed to borrow from his previous experience to attack more often with great speed by leading the rush or filling a lane as a fourth forward.
In 58 games this past season, Miller collected nine goals and 29 points. Two of his nine markers came while killing a penalty, with two others serving as game-winners.
With impeccable size and superior athleticism, Miller functions rather well in his core defensive duties given the steep learning curve that frankly he is still enduring. He's an above-average backwards skater that keeps him from getting beat wide. He's been coached out of chasing plays, and really seems to have grasped the nuances of angles and positioning that help him avoid taking unnecessary penalties.
Miller has also shown a willingness to play tough yet disciplined when the situation requires, be it by rattling the boards with a heavy hit or getting nasty when defending the goal area.
A chiseled physical specimen, Miller's aggressive two-way style creates a very compelling upside given the direction that the NHL seems to be heading.
He is not a finished product, and he will no doubt need to reset the development cycle with another adjustment to the collegiate pace. At the same time, the potential is clear and present for a patient team to bring him in the fold at the end of the first round and give him time to get his game to the next level during his tour of duty at the University of Wisconsin.
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For more on all the youngsters in the Sabres pipeline, check out Kris Baker's website, SabresProspects.com. You can also follow him on Twitter (@SabresProspects).
