Miller was drafted by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the sixth round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, 186th overall.
(LAYNE MURDOCH/GETTY IMAGES)

The Anaheim Ducks addressed a need for size at the forward position today by dealing Drew Miller and a 2010 3rd round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Evgeny Artyukhin.  Standing 6-foot-5 and tipping the scales at 224 pounds, Artyukhin could slot into a position on coach Randy Carlyle’s checking line (although he has plenty of competition for a spot there).

Anaheim Ducks General Manager Bob Murray offered up the following thoughts (quoted from the OC Register article linked below):

“We had gotten a bit more skill and moved a few things around. In doing so, we lost a little bit of our size, sandpaper or grit. We have been trying to find a way to patch that for a little while.”

Apparently, this is not the first (or even the second) time the Ducks have tried to deal for the big forward.  The article mentions previous attempts made by Murray at last season’s trading deadline and the entry draft in June.  It is not clear what packages were offered at those times, or if the Ducks had to bulk up their offer (spoken ironically, of course, as Miller drew the antipathy of many Anaheim fans for his lack of bulk).

For his part, Murray also added that he felt Miller probably did not get a fair shake with the Ducks.

“He had a good run here with us,” Murray said. “He was a little bit like Bobby Ryan. He was an easy guy to move down (to the minors) and it was a bit unfair to Drew. He handled it well and he played well for us.”

Though the words are flattering, one wonders if Murray is simply being diplomatic in this case.

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