Defenseman Miller Has No Illusions

After defenseman Aaron Miller had scored his first two goals for the Kings in Sunday’s 3-2 victory over the Mighty Ducks, the second in overtime, it was noted on the telecast that he had started his career as a winger.

Not exactly, Miller said with a laugh before Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre.

However, Miller said that in his first two seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, he was switched to wing for about 30 games because then-coach Marc Crawford wanted to get him into the lineup.

What did it do for his shot?

“Absolutely nothing,” said Miller, who has scored 19 goals in 51/2 seasons. “Playing wing is a lot easier than playing D, I think--a little less responsibility. But what position you play doesn’t help your shot.

“But it was good. I think when you can play more than one position, it adds to your awareness on the ice and knowing what you have to do in certain situations. But I’m a defenseman. I don’t think I’d make it too long in this league as a winger.”

Nor, perhaps, would he be considered for the U.S. Olympic team. Miller and teammates Adam Deadmarsh, Bryan Smolinski and Mathieu Schneider are among the candidates waiting to hear if they’ve been added to the U.S. team.

At least a few of the additions will be announced tonight.

“I haven’t given much thought to it at all,” Miller said. “I definitely would be honored.”

The Kings acquired defenseman Rich Brennan from the Nashville Predators for defenseman Brett Hauer in a trade of minor leaguers. General Manager Dave Taylor said that he did not anticipate making any other deals before today’s start of the holiday roster freeze. The freeze on waivers, trades and player assignments will last through Dec. 27.... The Maple Leafs will not play in Los Angeles this season, part of their accommodation from the NHL for switching from the Western Conference to the East before the 1998-99 season. For five seasons, through next season, they will not travel to the western United States, skipping Los Angeles, Anaheim, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix and San Jose, but playing two games each in Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton.... For the record: Eric Belanger was mistakenly left off a list published Tuesday of Kings who have played in each game this season.