Tommy Miller – Defense

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Miller was originally signed by the Leafs out of Northeastern University as an undrafted US college free agent following the 2021-2022 season. He was recently re-signed to a one year AHL contract for the 2024-25 season. Miller is a steady, defense-first responsible defenseman. At 6’2″ and 194 pounds, Miller is a right-shot defender with good size, mobility, and a no-nonsense approach to the game.

Strengths

  1. Defensive Reliability

Miller excels in playing a simple, mistake-free game, which makes him a reliable option on the back end. He is solid in his positioning and is trusted by his coaches to maintain defensive stability during crucial moments.

  1. Physicality

Although not overly aggressive, Miller can handle the physical side of the game when needed. His size allows him to engage effectively in battles along the boards and in front of the net, making him a useful asset in the defensive zone.

  1. Mobility and Decision-Making

Miller moves well for his size, which enables him to keep pace with faster forwards and contribute to breaking up plays. His decision-making with the puck is efficient, rarely making high-risk plays and opting for the smart, simple pass out of the zone.

Weaknesses

  1. Limited Offensive Upside

One of Miller’s key weaknesses is his lack of offensive production. In 88 career games with the Marlies, he has only 1 goal and 11 points. He does not contribute much in terms of scoring or playmaking from the back end, limiting his overall impact on the game from an offensive perspective.

  1. NHL Potential

Miller projects more as an organizational depth player at the AHL level rather than a future NHL regular. His ceiling seems to be that of a dependable AHL defenseman who can step into a bottom-pairing role but does not have the standout traits necessary to break through at the NHL level​.

Conclusion

Miller is a reliable, defensively oriented blueliner whose strong positional play and physicality make him a valuable player at the AHL level, but his limited offensive skills limit his ceiling to that of an AHL role.