Oilers recall Miller

Matt Hendricks was placed on the IR today, foot injury most likely, and to fill his roster spot the Oilers recalled Andrew Miller from Bakersfield.

I’ve already received a few texts and tweets wondering why not Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers are going to be patient with Draisaitl and Miller has played better thus far. Miller made a splash in Edmonton last year when he scored his first NHL goal on a penalty shot.

Miller has NHL speed, and with injuries to Hendricks and Jordan Eberle, I won’t be surprised if Miller gets an opportunity to play with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall on Wednesday vs. Detroit.

Miller had 1-5-6 in nine games with the Oilers last season, after scoring 60 points in 63 games in the AHL. He is an offensive minded-player and playing him in the top-six makes more sense than putting him in a checking role.

Hendricks is a big loss for the Oilers. He’s been great on the PK, and he filled in admirably on the top-line for two games before being injured blocking a shot. Miller won’t bring the aggressive side of Hendricks, and isn’t as good on the forecheck, but he possesses more skill, and could create more offence on the top line.

Miller played the most with Anton Lander and Hall last year, and when he was on the ice at ES with Hall he scored 2.07/60 (If you believe in that type of stat).

Recalling Miller makes the most sense at this point, and I’d rather see him beside Hall and RNH than Klinkhammer. 

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