Thursday's matchup between the Vegas Golden Knights and Winnipeg Jets will feature an old friend in Winnipeg. No, it isn't Marc-Andre Fleury, for he's in Minnesota, dancing to Prince's 1999. It isn't Nate Schmidt, either. He's in South Beach, playing shuffleboard with the senior community.
It's Colin Miller, an "Original Misfit" who helped the Golden Knights reach the Stanley Cup Final in the team's first season. I know what you're thinking. Who?
Miller was a fifth-round pick for the Los Angeles Kings in the 2012 NHL Draft (151st overall). He eventually found his way to the Golden Knights via the 18th overall pick from the Boston Bruins. The defenseman spent two seasons in Las Vegas before being traded to the Buffalo Sabres.
Fans won't remember his brief time with the Golden Knights, for names like Fleury and William Karlsson overshadowed him. But that's what happens when you have a deep team full of hungry players. You're not the one who stands out, yet you still play a vital role.
That role is something being examined today. Was Miller a top-notch defenseman as perceived? Was he forgotten in the realms of time? Here's a look at what the 32-year-old did during his Golden Knights tenure.
Looking back at Colin Miller's tenure with the Vegas Golden Knights
After being picked in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, Colin Miller played in Las Vegas for two seasons. His first season saw the native of Sault St. Marie, Ontario, score 10 goals and 31 assists in 2017-18. Miller was especially productive on the man advantage, scoring five goals and 12 assists on the unit.
His power play acumen buoyed other players such as William Karlsson (eight goals, eight assists), David Perron (17 assists), and Jonathan Marchessault (six goals, 10 assists). It also led the Vegas Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season, where they lost to the Washington Capitals, 4-1.
In fact, 2017-18 was the strongest season in his career. The defenseman also notched career-highs in takeaways (35 in 2017-18), shot attempts (420), flurry adjusted xGoals (8.1), and relative expected goals (9.9%). Of course, that was the first-season magic from the Golden Knights, who saw incredible production from unexpected sources.
Miller followed up that season with a weaker campaign, scoring three goals and 26 assists. He did score 12 assists on the man advantage in 2018-19, showing his viability on the unit. However, the Golden Knights had their season cut short by the San Jose Sharks in seven games.
Where is Colin Miller now?
After two seasons with the Golden Knights, Colin Miller has jumped around in the league. That includes stints with the Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres. Currently, he's with the Winnipeg Jets, where he's a blue-line depth piece.
The Golden Knights will pay a visit to Winnipeg to possibly see their old "Misfit" again. It'll be another challenging test for one of the league's best teams, facing off against another top-tier team. Could the former "Misfit" play a factor in Thursday's game? Stay tuned.
In the meantime, there are many Colin Miller's in the world, doing different things. That includes being an accountant for the local aerospace business or a high school student. Only one captured the heart and soul of Las Vegas residents everywhere.
That man graced the ice during the beginning years for the Golden Knights, acting as a nice complimentary offensive piece. The 32-year-old carried a booming shot and moved the puck well, making him a valuable defenseman alongside Shea Theodore. Therefore, only one Colin Miller will hold a place in the hearts of Golden Knights fans.