BOSTON — Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller’s right shoulder isn’t 100 percent healthy. It’s an issue he’ll be forced to play with until he examines his options in the offseason.
Miller hurt his right shoulder Oct. 18 in a fight against Buffalo Sabres forward Nicolas Deslauriers. He immediately left the game, and the team later announced that Miller had a dislocated shoulder. He missed one month and returned to the lineup Nov. 21 for Boston’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“There’s up and downs, but it’s been alright so far,” Miller said before Saturday’s matchup with the New York Islanders. “I’m still progressing with it, so it’s been good.”
“I knew it was something that I have to learn to play with and learn to adapt to. There’s a little bit of nerves (coming back from injury), but you kind of move past that after the first game.”
Miller’s game is a physical one, and he became one of the NHL’s most feared fighters last season. He’s fought just once this season — the aforementioned bout against Deslauriers. His shoulder issue makes fighting more of a risk than usual.
“I was told by the doctors (that fighting is) probably not a good idea,” Miller said. “It’s part of the game and you have to be ready for anything either way, I just have to make sure I’m smart with it, I guess. I don’t think I really change my approach to the game, it’s something I have to be aware of.”
Right now, Miller’s focus is on playing. He’ll meet with the team and medical personnel at season’s end.
“That’s up to management as well, we’ll have to discuss it at the end of the season,” Miller said. “It’s something a lot of guys go through and some guys have surgery and some don’t. It’s something we’ll revisit at the end of the season.”
Thumbnail photo via Timothy T. Ludwig/USA TODAY Sports Images
