PTS Posted February 6, 2006 Report Posted February 6, 2006 Petr Prucha is officially down and out for the Czech team and you have to figure Kotalik was the next player in line to make that team. I hope he makes it especially since he's been playing well of late. He should have made the team in the first place. Robert Esche is contemplating missing the olympics to rest his groin. The way I read that is USA Hockey telling Robert gracefully bow out or else. As much as some of you hate the idea of Miller going to Turino, I think it can only help and it will bring some much needed love to Buffalo.
Taro T Posted February 6, 2006 Report Posted February 6, 2006 I was initially against the idea of having Ryan be an "injury substitution" on the Olympic team, but I am starting to see greater positives than negatives from it, if it occurs. The negatives, as I see them, are he will be better served by getting the 2+ weeks of rest heading into the stretch run and he MIGHT lose the chip on his shoulder that he seems to be playing with. (Does anybody really doubt that the Sabres will win when Atlanta, Philly, TB, or the Isles are the opponent?) The positives are he will get a chance to play games that have a playoff feel against the best players in the world and getting the rest may not be as important as I have made it out to be. He has not fared well in the playoffs in Rochester. Having a good run at the Olympics may be the missing piece to his game that sets him up for a strong playoff run (perhaps speeding his overall development by a season or 2).
Guest Guest Posted February 6, 2006 Report Posted February 6, 2006 How amazing would be it, if Miller, goes to team USA as a late add-on because of Esche's injury, is named the starter, gets like 2 shootouts and leads Team USA into the gold medal game. WOW! lol
Two or less Posted February 6, 2006 Report Posted February 6, 2006 sorry bout that guys.... above was me. lol
shrader Posted February 6, 2006 Report Posted February 6, 2006 Did they ever release the taxi squads? They would have to be on those lists to me named as replacements, right?
hopeleslyobvious Posted February 6, 2006 Report Posted February 6, 2006 Supposodly Team USA might name theirs today: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=153657&hubName=nhl
BuffalOhio Posted February 6, 2006 Report Posted February 6, 2006 Heard on Hockey Night in Canada that the USA named their taxi squad and Miller is on it. He's not going to Italy, but will go if one of the goalies gets injured. My guess is Esche will be told to stay home so Miller can go. USA doesn't stand a chance. Not enough scorers in our lineup against what the other teams can bring. I hope I'm wrong. I want the gold, but I'm a realist.
Guest Guest_Rabbit151 Posted February 6, 2006 Report Posted February 6, 2006 I wouldn't mind seeing Miller stay in Buffalo. A young guy like that playing with something to prove can be a great thing. He's got 4 years to solidify his standing as the Americans top goalie, and he's still young enough to participate in at least 2 more Olympics. He would be facing some of the greatest sharp-shooters in the world, shift after shift in the Olympics. What if he falls on his face? Where is his confidence then? Take a page out of Canada's book. Bring the young guys along slowly, putting them in positions to succeed without tremendous pressure. Some young folks put in high-pressure situations before they were ready have been crushed and never recovered. At most, put him on the taxi-squad and take him to Italy to get a feel for the event. If he is the future of American goalies, he should at least get an introduction to everything.
shrader Posted February 6, 2006 Report Posted February 6, 2006 I hate the fact that I have information on Miller but I can't post it yet. We should be hearing something very shortly. edit: Check that, TSN is dead on with what they said. The Esche stuff is probably true, but good luck finding any official report about that.
BRH Posted February 6, 2006 Report Posted February 6, 2006 I think we all know (and have known for some time) that Miller is going to Torino somehow, some way. The fallout for USA Hockey if they end up flaming out with what everyone knows is their best goaltender sitting stateside will be significant. I'd be interested to know if any other country named a goalie to its taxi squad. With three goalies already, you'd think most countries would want to spend that roster spot on a skater. The fact that they named Miller tells us something is up. I think that PTS is dead on: Team USA is quietly putting the screws to Esche, probably telling him he can forget about future international competition if he doesn't bow out. Again, everyone knows Miller is by far the best American goaltender right now. The last thing USA Hockey needs is to get beat like a rented mule in the Olympics while NBC reminds a billion viewers that Esche, Grahame and DiPietro have gone 0-6 against Miller this year.
MLH Posted February 6, 2006 Report Posted February 6, 2006 Patrik Elias is the safe bet to be Prucha's replacement. As for Miller, it could go either way. There are injury and rest concerns, but he'll be playing, at most, seven games over two weeks. He's already missed several weeks this year; he'll be rested for the playoffs. I think the real issue is confidence. He's had some "mental" issues in the past, so serious that he hired a sports psychologist. If he goes to Turino and leads the US to a medal, it effectively gives him the all-important playoff experience without actually playing in the NHL playoffs. At the same time, the US team isn't great. I'd hate for him to have his psyche shattered when/if the US team disappears in front of him. Personally, I think the big game experience would be worth it.
nfreeman Posted February 6, 2006 Report Posted February 6, 2006 If he goes to Turino and leads the US to a medal, it effectively gives him the all-important playoff experience without actually playing in the NHL playoffs. At the same time, the US team isn't great. I'd hate for him to have his psyche shattered when/if the US team disappears in front of him. Personally, I think the big game experience would be worth it. The US team doesn't have a ton of all-world scoring machines -- but neither does Miller's other team. The US will have a good defensive corps and, although no Jagrs or Forsbergs, nevertheless a bunch of guys who can score (btw, I just learned that Eric Cole from the Hurricanes is from Oswego). If they play hard and play together, Gionta, Modano, Cole, Rolston, Drury etc. are plenty good enough to win a medal -- especially with the mighty Miller backstopping them. I agree that the big game experience would be a big positive for Miller. He is in the zone right now (and has been for much of the season) and I just can't believe he would get shelled to the point of setting him back psychologically. Personally, I would be very psyched to watch him play a pivotal role for the US Olympic team. Has a Sabre (other than Dominik of course) EVER been integral to an Olympic team? I would watch every game. Go Sabres.
mphs mike Posted February 6, 2006 Report Posted February 6, 2006 While he was, at the time, a future Sabre Mike Ramsey was pretty integral to the Miracle on Ice in 1980!
nfreeman Posted February 7, 2006 Report Posted February 7, 2006 While he was, at the time, a future Sabre Mike Ramsey was pretty integral to the Miracle on Ice in 1980! Right on. Thanks for reminding me. All the same, if Miller were to become the starting goalie for the US, start most or all of the games, and the US were to medal -- it's fair to say this would be a more integral role than Ramsey's.
BRH Posted February 7, 2006 Report Posted February 7, 2006 While he was, at the time, a future Sabre Mike Ramsey was pretty integral to the Miracle on Ice in 1980! What? No love for Rob McClanahan, Eric Strobel or John Harrington? :)
Don Posted February 7, 2006 Report Posted February 7, 2006 I wouldn't mind seeing Miller stay in Buffalo. A young guy like that playing with something to prove can be a great thing. He's got 4 years to solidify his standing as the Americans top goalie, and he's still young enough to participate in at least 2 more Olympics. He would be facing some of the greatest sharp-shooters in the world, shift after shift in the Olympics. What if he falls on his face? Where is his confidence then? Take a page out of Canada's book. Bring the young guys along slowly, putting them in positions to succeed without tremendous pressure. Some young folks put in high-pressure situations before they were ready have been crushed and never recovered. At most, put him on the taxi-squad and take him to Italy to get a feel for the event. If he is the future of American goalies, he should at least get an introduction to everything. We don't hava Canada's depth. That fact that Miller is not the #1 goalie speaks VOLUMES about the status of USA Hockey. That said, I hope he stays home and gets some rest.
Rico7 Posted February 7, 2006 Report Posted February 7, 2006 I think Miller should tell Wadell where he can go and stay home and watch the Olympics from the comfort of his own living room
Two or less Posted February 7, 2006 Report Posted February 7, 2006 I think Miller should tell Wadell where he can go and stay home and watch the Olympics from the comfort of his own living room That's an ignorant comment. Don Waddel isn't US Hockey. Miller wouldn't be going there to play for Don Waddel. Miller would be going, to play for the United States of America, the country he loves and the country that gave him such a chance to make millions by playing his favorite sport. He is playing for the people of America and for national pride.... I hate all this BS talk about how Miller should tell Waddel to go eff himself and stay home. Some people totally lack national pride, it's pretty sad to see. I bet some of you will even be rooting against team USA if Miller isn't on the squad. :rolleyes:
Knightrider Posted February 7, 2006 Report Posted February 7, 2006 That's an ignorant comment. Don Waddel isn't US Hockey. Miller wouldn't be going there to play for Don Waddel. Miller would be going, to play for the United States of America, the country he loves and the country that gave him such a chance to make millions by playing his favorite sport. He is playing for the people of America and for national pride.... I hate all this BS talk about how Miller should tell Waddel to go eff himself and stay home. Some people totally lack national pride, it's pretty sad to see. I bet some of you will even be rooting against team USA if Miller isn't on the squad. :rolleyes: I totally see your point of view BUT, the Olympics meant so much more when it was amateurs, at least for the US. I could not care less about the Olympics and haven't cared since 1992. I certainly do not base my national pride for my country on hockey, either.
hopeleslyobvious Posted February 7, 2006 Report Posted February 7, 2006 I totally see your point of view BUT, the Olympics meant so much more when it was amateurs, at least for the US. I could not care less about the Olympics and haven't cared since 1992. I certainly do not base my national pride for my country on hockey, either. I understand your point...but I have really enjoyed the Olympics since the pros have started playing. I like seeing the best players in the world with the bigger ice surface. Kind of not as big of a deal this year...but I think obstruction is historically called a lot tighter during the Olympics.
hopeleslyobvious Posted February 8, 2006 Report Posted February 8, 2006 Can't remember if anyone posted this yet, but bad news for Kotalik...Elias was named to the Czech team: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=153960&hubname=nhl :angry:
Corp000085 Posted February 8, 2006 Report Posted February 8, 2006 I hate the fact that I have information on Miller but I can't post it yet. We should be hearing something very shortly. edit: Check that, TSN is dead on with what they said. The Esche stuff is probably true, but good luck finding any official report about that. If shrader=soprano we better all be 48" tall to ride this rollercoaster. Come on and lay down some scoop man... if you truly think you're right, then it will be proven!
hopeleslyobvious Posted February 8, 2006 Report Posted February 8, 2006 Yeah!!! I will bring back the Bender avatar if you tell us!
Corp000085 Posted February 8, 2006 Report Posted February 8, 2006 Yeah!!! I will bring back the Bender avatar if you tell us! If it ain't Chuck, it ain't fu(k.
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