The Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils came to terms on a deal in the early hours of open free agency. The trade sent defenceman Colin Miller from Dallas to New Jersey. In return, the Stars receive a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Colin Miller, traded to NJ, is a third-pair defensive defenceman. #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/OPmBkg8Pdj
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 1, 2023
New Jersey Devils Acquire Colin Miller via Trade
Colin Miller, 30, has 466 NHL games of experience under his belt. He enters the ninth season of his career, one that placed him with the Boston Bruins, Vegas Golden Knights, and Buffalo Sabres as well to-date. In that span, Miller contributed 35 goals and 122 assists, for 157 goals in total. Additionally, this trade represents the third of Miller’s career.
Last year, Miller scored six goals and 15 assists, for 21 points in 79 games for the Stars. He signed a two-year deal with Dallas last summer, worth $1.85 million annually. He now takes the last year of that deal with him as he joins the Devils blueline group.
What this Means for the Future
New Jersey lost Ryan Graves to free agency, though this trade for Miller doesn’t replace him perfectly. Graves, after all, is a left-handed defenceman, while Miller shoots right. Beyond that, Graves belongs in the top four, while Miller slots more comfortably onto a team’s third pair. The more likely situation here is Graves priced himself out, and the team wants Luke Hughes to grow into that role. All that said, expect perhaps more activity on the Devils blue line before the season starts.
For the Stars, this move clears cap space. The return looks underwhelming; a fifth-round pick two years from now doesn’t exactly raise eyebrows. So, more than anything, this Miller trade clears cap room and opens up a roster spot. Between Joel Hanley and Thomas Harley, they have assets they want to take that next step in Dallas too. Miller didn’t fit into the long-term plans and didn’t contribute enough in the short-term to keep around for that final year of his deal.
Main Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
