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Drew Miller has a goal and an assist in five games since joining the Griffins.

(Mark Newman | Griffins)

GRAND RAPIDS -Drew Miller likes how he has integrated himself with the Grand Rapids Griffins, but, no offense, the veteran hopes his time with the team is short.

With the NHL trade deadline looming March 1, the former Detroit Red Wings forward wants a trade and a fresh opportunity elsewhere.

"That's what they've been trying to do is just wait to see what teams may be looking to add and have a good fit," Miller said. "No one's really making a move yet, but I would think that will change as we get closer.

"Hopefully, I get traded. I want to be in the NHL - everyone wants to be there - so we'll see how it goes."

In the meantime, the 33-year-old has played five games since joining the Griffins on Feb. 6 following his release from the Red Wings. Miller has a goal and an assist with a plus-two rating at left wing and center heading into home games Friday and Saturday against Milwaukee,

"Things have been going good," Miller said. "It's just a different game. My role up there is so defined and here I've been figuring out how to play a little bit different role. I'm playing a similar role, but it's just five-on-five that's a little different; hold the puck a little more."

Coach Todd Nelson has used Miller much like in Detroit - fourth line and on the penalty kill.

"There's some uncertainty what will happen to him; I think he'd tell you that, too," Nelson said. "Right now he's come in here, worked hard and been a good teammate.

"You look at that line the past three, four games and it has been pretty darn good," he added, including Dominic Turgeon and Colin Campbell. "They've had good offensive zone time and I can depend on them in the defensive zone and they've also been rewarded with some goals."

Miller, who played at Michigan State and was drafted by Anaheim in 2003, is in the AHL for the first time since playing with Iowa in 2009.

"It's an adjustment, for sure," he said. "But right now I'm just focused on the positives and getting better every day."

The Red Wings claimed Miller off waivers from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 11, 2009. He has 106 points (56-50-106) in 481 games with the Red Wings and 551 games overall in the NHL.

This season, Miller has played in 35 games with the Red Wings with five goals, six points and a minus-10 rating.

"I thought I played pretty well up there, so I just hope someone else feels the same and grabs me," Miller said. "Nothing against the team here or the AHL. This is a good group of guys."