Miller's chance to do the right thing

[Stoner]

"I have a statement. My top priority has to be the organization that pays me six million dollars a year and the fans who allow this kind of salary to be possible. Therefore, I am withdrawing from the Olympics to stay at home to rest and refocus and prepare for our playoff run."

 

Or he could do the slightly less right thing and "pull his groin" on Saturday. No one would know.

[inkman]

Or he could do the slightly less right thing and "pull his groin" on Saturday. No one would know.

It would be worth it if I could just hear Lindy tell me: "Ryan's got a groin". :lol:

[NowDoYouBelieve]

"I have a statement. My top priority has to be the organization that pays me six million dollars a year and the fans who allow this kind of salary to be possible. Therefore, I am withdrawing from the Olympics to stay at home to rest and refocus and prepare for our playoff run."

 

Or he could do the slightly less right thing and "pull his groin" on Saturday. No one would know.

 

No, the right thing is to represent your country when it calls upon you.

[Stoner]

No, the right thing is to represent your country when it calls upon you.

 

It's hockey, not war.

[Ohiofan]

No, the right thing is to represent your country when it calls upon you.

Well.....maybe, but he's not getting called up to serve in Iraq. It's the Olympics and does anyone really even care? I'm not saying that to be a smarta$$, I just think that these games are a minor blip in the lives of us normal folk. The only ones who really have a stake in it all are the athletes. It is a feather in their cap to win a medal but when it's all said and done...does it really matter in the scheme of things as far as our country pride is concerned?

The glow of an Olympic gold medal in hockey (or anything else for that matter) will fade as soon as we turn off the tv after the closing ceremonies. The glow of a Stanley Cup would burn bright for all of us for a long time...probably forever,

[NowDoYouBelieve]

Well.....maybe, but he's not getting called up to serve in Iraq. It's the Olympics and does anyone really even care? I'm not saying that to be a smarta$$, I just think that these games are a minor blip in the lives of us normal folk. The only ones who really have a stake in it all are the athletes. It is a feather in their cap to win a medal but when it's all said and done...does it really matter in the scheme of things as far as our country pride is concerned?

The glow of an Olympic gold medal in hockey (or anything else for that matter) will fade as soon as we turn off the tv after the closing ceremonies. The glow of a Stanley Cup would burn bright for all of us for a long time...probably forever,

 

All that's really sad to me, if it's true. I wasn't around for the 1980 Olympics, but I know how much it meant to the country. Has our national pride really been diminished that much since then?

 

In most countries, being an Olympic athlete and representing your country is one of the most important things you can do. In the US, I guess regionalism trumps nationalism?

 

Yeah, as a Buffalo Sabres fan I want to see them win the Stanley Cup...but I'm also a citizen of the US and I'd be horrified if I missed the chance to represent my country at the Olympics. So why should we expect Miller to miss that opportunity for our own selfish reasons? Just my opinion.

[Sabre Dance]

All that's really sad to me, if it's true. I wasn't around for the 1980 Olympics, but I know how much it meant to the country. Has our national pride really been diminished that much since then?

 

No - I think this is fallout from using professional athletes as Olympic representatives. All we're doing is reshuffling NHL teams along national lines and having a brief tournament. For those not around to see the 1980 Olympic hockey triumph by Team USA, they were a bunch of no-name kids who beat the best national team in the world, the Soviets and then went on to take the gold. It was special as the spectators went on the same emotional roller coaster ride as the players. Now, as soon as the medals are handed out, the Olympians head back to their NHL teams and then have to compete for a Stanley Cup. That kind of takes the glow off the gold, as it were.

[Ohiofan]

No - I think this is fallout from using professional athletes as Olympic representatives. All we're doing is reshuffling NHL teams along national lines and having a brief tournament. For those not around to see the 1980 Olympic hockey triumph by Team USA, they were a bunch of no-name kids who beat the best national team in the world, the Soviets and then went on to take the gold. It was special as the spectators went on the same emotional roller coaster ride as the players. Now, as soon as the medals are handed out, the Olympians head back to their NHL teams and then have to compete for a Stanley Cup. That kind of takes the glow off the gold, as it were.

Yes. This.

[SDS]

No - I think this is fallout from using professional athletes as Olympic representatives. All we're doing is reshuffling NHL teams along national lines and having a brief tournament. For those not around to see the 1980 Olympic hockey triumph by Team USA, they were a bunch of no-name kids who beat the best national team in the world, the Soviets and then went on to take the gold. It was special as the spectators went on the same emotional roller coaster ride as the players. Now, as soon as the medals are handed out, the Olympians head back to their NHL teams and then have to compete for a Stanley Cup. That kind of takes the glow off the gold, as it were.

 

Maybe to masses, but what Ryan Miller wants to accomplish in his life is up to Ryan Miller. If he wants to play in the Olympics and has the opportunity than it would be foolish to pass up the chance. It is HIS life. It is HIS career.

[Bmwolf21]

Maybe to masses, but what Ryan Miller wants to accomplish in his life is up to Ryan Miller. If he wants to play in the Olympics and has the opportunity than it would be foolish to pass up the chance. It is HIS life. It is HIS career.

^^This.

[SwampD]

If the U.S. wins the gold, I will be screaming my fool head off. Not because the U.S. won, but because Ryan Miller, goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres, was in goal (boy, I sure hope he's in goal if they win). I did it for Hasek and I'm pretty sure I'm not Czhech.

[sactobillsfan]

If the U.S. wins the gold, I will be screaming my fool head off. Not because the U.S. won, but because Ryan Miller, goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres, was in goal (boy, I sure hope he's in goal if they win). I did it for Hasek and I'm pretty sure I'm not Czhech.

 

If this were to happen I'd be screaming my head off for Miller too but mostly because the USA won a tournament they had no business winning. Also, Miller will have to get red hot for this to happen and we'd have our elite goalie peaking for the stretch run.

[static70]

All that's really sad to me, if it's true. I wasn't around for the 1980 Olympics, but I know how much it meant to the country. Has our national pride really been diminished that much since then?

 

In most countries, being an Olympic athlete and representing your country is one of the most important things you can do. In the US, I guess regionalism trumps nationalism?

 

Yeah, as a Buffalo Sabres fan I want to see them win the Stanley Cup...but I'm also a citizen of the US and I'd be horrified if I missed the chance to represent my country at the Olympics. So why should we expect Miller to miss that opportunity for our own selfish reasons? Just my opinion.

I was at the actual game back in 1980 and I can tell you it meant so much more then as oppossed to now. For alot of reasons, not just one or two reasons.

The pride that was felt in the days that followed that epic game actually brought the nation together. It was amazing, that group of players was amazing that game, what they achieved was amazing. It truly was a David and Goliath story. I'll never forget the last goal, my mom and dad were screaming so loud and jumping around. My dad put me on his shoulders, I was 10 back then and even I was going nuts. We all knew what it meant, we all knew how big and bad the Russian players were and just how good their team was. I met Mike Ramsey the following season when he came to Buffalo, I thanked him for taking it to the Russians.

 

If you didn't grow up in the cold war, you don't know what I am talking of, not really. But when I was little, and I am sure many of us will remember this, we used to have to get under our desks when the air raid sirens would go off, then they would take us down to the fallout shelters in the basements of the schools. Those of us that lived through it, we remember, and we remember what the 1980 squads achievement meant to us.

 

Now, now it doesn't mean so much, there just isn't a whole lot riding on the line as far as national pride now a days.

[Eleven]

Maybe to masses, but what Ryan Miller wants to accomplish in his life is up to Ryan Miller. If he wants to play in the Olympics and has the opportunity than it would be foolish to pass up the chance. It is HIS life. It is HIS career.

 

The counter to this--which I don't agree with--is that maybe then he shouldn't accept millions from his club team. But this is not new; anyone who follows the World Cup (soccer) will tell you that these conflicts are normal. FIFA has a rule preventing club teams from interfering with national team duties; so far, hockey doesn't need such a rule. Hope it never does. I want Miller to lead the USA to gold. (I fully realize that there are serious Sabres fans who do NOT want that to happen. To you, I say, "Saskatoon.")

[wjag]

The 2010 Hockey Sham-lypics

 

Exhibition hockey at its ugliest..

 

 

Just say no..

 

Return hockey to the amateur ranks.

[theend]

The 2010 Hockey Sham-lypics

 

Exhibition hockey at its ugliest..

 

 

Just say no..

 

Return hockey to the amateur ranks.

 

Isn't the whole purpose of the Olympics to have the best athletes in the world compete for their countries? Why is it a sham? Because most hockey players make money?

 

That would be like holding the Oscars and only allowing people who post stuff on youtube to make films that can qualify.

[theend]

Maybe to masses, but what Ryan Miller wants to accomplish in his life is up to Ryan Miller. If he wants to play in the Olympics and has the opportunity than it would be foolish to pass up the chance. It is HIS life. It is HIS career.

 

+1

[Hank]

Once upon a time, many decades ago, Professional athletes were not allowed to compete in the olympics. What made the miracle on ice so special was it was our Amatures beating the mighty russian professionals(along with the hatred for them fueled by the cold war).

[Eleven]

Once upon a time, many decades ago, Professional athletes were not allowed to compete in the olympics. What made the miracle on ice so special was it was our Amatures beating the mighty russian professionals(along with the hatred for them fueled by the cold war).

 

It had a lot more to do with the cold war than anything about amateurs and professionals.

[Hank]

We hated them because of the cold war, our boys were underdogs because they were young amatures, the combination captivated the country and will live forever. Granted, the cold war is probably the bigger factor, but if it was NHL players that beat the Russians in 80, there would be no "Miracle on Ice".

[gregkash]

Frankly, im offended by this thread and think the OP managed to say the stupidest thing ever said on this board.

 

That includes *superstar* coming to buffalo, ek threads.

[wjag]

Isn't the whole purpose of the Olympics to have the best athletes in the world compete for their countries? Why is it a sham? Because most hockey players make money?

 

That would be like holding the Oscars and only allowing people who post stuff on youtube to make films that can qualify.

The Oscars adds nothing to the argument. Red Herring.

 

What we have is two opinions. One that thinks that taking millionaires, the best athletes at their craft, NHLers and NBAers, and playing them against countries who can't field the same quality is acceptable. Did you really think watching the American NBAers mow through the competition was fun to watch, entertaining, and sporting? Do you really think it upheld the Olympic ideals, the intended spirit of the games?

 

The other thinks that the games were represented by the best each countries amateur ranks could offer. Still wasn't an even fight, but smaller countries had a chance. The playing field wasn't even, but it sure as heck was a lot closer than the Canadians stocking a team with a bunch of players that don't even live in their country anymore. A team of players that haven't even had a chance to practice together before the exhibition begins. Another reason to not like the hockey tournament. This tournament ONLY rewards the very best players, not teams, as they haven't had a chance to play together as a team.

 

My opinion notwithstanding, I sincerely hope you enjoy the games.

[SwampD]

The Oscars adds nothing to the argument. Red Herring.

 

What we have is two opinions. One that thinks that taking millionaires, the best athletes at their craft, NHLers and NBAers, and playing them against countries who can't field the same quality is acceptable. Did you really think watching the American NBAers mow through the competition was fun to watch, entertaining, and sporting? Do you really think it upheld the Olympic ideals, the intended spirit of the games?

 

The other thinks that the games were represented by the best each countries amateur ranks could offer. Still wasn't an even fight, but smaller countries had a chance. The playing field wasn't even, but it sure as heck was a lot closer than the Canadians stocking a team with a bunch of players that don't even live in their country anymore. A team of players that haven't even had a chance to practice together before the exhibition begins. Another reason to not like the hockey tournament. This tournament ONLY rewards the very best players, not teams, as they haven't had a chance to play together as a team.

 

My opinion notwithstanding, I sincerely hope you enjoy the games.

All very good points and I actually would not have a problem with barring professionals from competing. But is it just NHLers or is it all pros (KHL, SEL, et. al.)? And before they allowed pros in the games, other countries fielded teams that by all definitions were professional anyway. I don't really care, I'm just throwing it out there.

 

And thank you. No matter who they put out there to represent their country, I plan on enjoying very much.

[Stoner]

I was at the actual game back in 1980 and I can tell you it meant so much more then as oppossed to now. For alot of reasons, not just one or two reasons.

The pride that was felt in the days that followed that epic game actually brought the nation together. It was amazing, that group of players was amazing that game, what they achieved was amazing. It truly was a David and Goliath story. I'll never forget the last goal, my mom and dad were screaming so loud and jumping around. My dad put me on his shoulders, I was 10 back then and even I was going nuts. We all knew what it meant, we all knew how big and bad the Russian players were and just how good their team was. I met Mike Ramsey the following season when he came to Buffalo, I thanked him for taking it to the Russians.

 

If you didn't grow up in the cold war, you don't know what I am talking of, not really. But when I was little, and I am sure many of us will remember this, we used to have to get under our desks when the air raid sirens would go off, then they would take us down to the fallout shelters in the basements of the schools. Those of us that lived through it, we remember, and we remember what the 1980 squads achievement meant to us.

 

Now, now it doesn't mean so much, there just isn't a whole lot riding on the line as far as national pride now a days.

Well said. That will probably never happen again. Why? $$$. Sad.

[Stoner]

If this were to happen I'd be screaming my head off for Miller too but mostly because the USA won a tournament they had no business winning. Also, Miller will have to get red hot for this to happen and we'd have our elite goalie peaking for the stretch run.

 

You wouldn't be the least bit ticked off that he miraculously found his game after stinking it up in Buffalo for a few weeks? And how would you feel if he came back to Buffalo after carrying the U.S. to gold and continued to stink it up here?