The Philly series was a microcosm of Miller's career

[zow2]

He doesn't usually give up horrible goals....he can be terrific and dominant at times as evidenced by 2 shutouts. HE can also be very average and doesn't usually play his best in the biggest game. Bottom line....he's good enough to get the team to the playoffs but not good enough to get them over the hump. He was good enough to get the Sabres to game 7 vs. a better Flyers team...but not quite good enough to lockdown the series. That's it. I don't want to hear anymore that he cost Buffalo the game yesterday and I definitely don't want to hear that he's an "Elite" franchise goalie, he's not. He's good but not great.

[CallawaySabres]

He doesn't usually give up horrible goals....he can be terrific and dominant at times as evidenced by 2 shutouts. HE can also be very average and doesn't usually play his best in the biggest game. Bottom line....he's good enough to get the team to the playoffs but not good enough to get them over the hump. He was good enough to get the Sabres to game 7 vs. a better Flyers team...but not quite good enough to lockdown the series. That's it. I don't want to hear anymore that he cost Buffalo the game yesterday and I definitely don't want to hear that he's an "Elite" franchise goalie, he's not. He's good but not great.

 

The score yesterday should have been 72-0 and could have been if Philly did not going into prevent in the 3rd. That performance by the team last night was pathetic, just pathetic. Miller is definitely good enough to win a Cup IF the right moves are made. Enroth will get plenty of starts next year which will definitely help...Buffalo did not show up last night - period.

[Claude_Verret]

The score yesterday should have been 72-0 and could have been if Philly did not going into prevent in the 3rd. That performance by the team last night was pathetic, just pathetic. Miller is definitely good enough to win a Cup IF the right moves are made. Enroth will get plenty of starts next year which will definitely help...Buffalo did not show up last night - period.

 

This. Yes they were depleted by injuries and maybe out of gas to an extent, but there were way too many Sabres that didn't play with game 7 desperation last night.

[Kristian]

This. Yes they were depleted by injuries and maybe out of gas to an extent, but there were way too many Sabres that didn't play with game 7 desperation last night.

 

Very true.

 

And I have no sympathy for the "out of gas" excuse.

 

If they'd shown up and competed in 2010, they wouldn't have been forced to play catchup in 2011.

 

Things you have full control of can hardly be used as an excuse.

[Campy]

I agree that Miller's tendency to give up the occasional soft goal is maddening, but I'd bet there are at least 25 teams, Philthadelphia included, that would trade their #1 goalie for Miller straight-up if given the chance. Look at Luongo, by all accounts he's a fantastic goaltender, but he got chased from two games and benched for another before coming back to ensure the 'Hawks went out in 7. It happens.

 

Defense and finishing should be cause for hand-wringing, but we should all feel pretty comfortable with Miller in goal.

[BuffaloSoldier2010]

He doesn't usually give up horrible goals....he can be terrific and dominant at times as evidenced by 2 shutouts. HE can also be very average and doesn't usually play his best in the biggest game. Bottom line....he's good enough to get the team to the playoffs but not good enough to get them over the hump. He was good enough to get the Sabres to game 7 vs. a better Flyers team...but not quite good enough to lockdown the series. That's it. I don't want to hear anymore that he cost Buffalo the game yesterday and I definitely don't want to hear that he's an "Elite" franchise goalie, he's not. He's good but not great.

 

I find the constant miller bashing on this board astounding, and no, before you take offense, I'm not referring only to you.

 

Miller had TWO. not one, TWO shutouts against what i thought and still think is the most offensively potent team in this league. And as far as I'm concerned, 49 saves in a game 6 OT loss is more than pulling your weight.

 

If you're claiming we didn't win game 7 because Miller was just "good", then i urge you to watch the game again. He was the ONLY player that showed up last night.

 

As far as being good enough to win the cup, are you suggesting that Niemi is a better netminder than Miller? It's all about the team as a whole, you can't expect Miller to carry your team when the defense watches the game about as much as we as fans do. The D will get better over time, its just a matter of replacing dead weight and getting experience for the younger guys.

 

Am i upset that we lost last night? Of course! but we have an extremely young team, and if you've had a strong enough constitution to be a Buffalo sports fan this long, you can wait a couple more years.

[donteatyellowsnow]

I find the constant miller bashing on this board astounding, and no, before you take offense, I'm not referring only to you.

 

Miller had TWO. not one, TWO shutouts against what i thought and still think is the most offensively potent team in this league. And as far as I'm concerned, 49 saves in a game 6 OT loss is more than pulling your weight.

 

If you're claiming we didn't win game 7 because Miller was just "good", then i urge you to watch the game again. He was the ONLY player that showed up last night.

 

As far as being good enough to win the cup, are you suggesting that Niemi is a better netminder than Miller? It's all about the team as a whole, you can't expect Miller to carry your team when the defense watches the game about as much as we as fans do. The D will get better over time, its just a matter of replacing dead weight and getting experience for the younger guys.

 

Am i upset that we lost last night? Of course! but we have an extremely young team, and if you've had a strong enough constitution to be a Buffalo sports fan this long, you can wait a couple more years.

 

For the Miller apologists it's funny is how it's all sbout the "TEAM" when they lose, and it's all "MILLER" when they win, especially when it's a 1-0 win.

[BuffaloSoldier2010]

For the Miller apologists it's funny is how it's all about the "TEAM" when they lose, and it's all "MILLER" when they win, especially when it's a 1-0 win.

fixed it for you.

 

Did you even watch game four?? I was in the plaza during the third when he was making one miraculous save after another. We were going crazier for those saves than we did for pommers goal. Did the team play well that game? absolutely. Did Miller stop Danny Briere, AKA public enemy #1 right in front of the net when he was all alone? You bet your @$$ he did!

 

A shutout obviously isn't just a goal-tending effort, it takes a team too. But when people call for Millers dismissal when he's one of the only ones who consistently shows up every night, it's laughable.

[donteatyellowsnow]

fixed it for you.

 

Did you even watch game four?? I was in the plaza during the third when he was making one miraculous save after another. We were going crazier for those saves than we did for pommers goal. Did the team play well that game? absolutely. Did Miller stop Danny Briere, AKA public enemy #1 right in front of the net when he was all alone? You bet your @$$ he did!

 

A shutout obviously isn't just a goal-tending effort, it takes a team too. But when people call for Millers dismissal when he's one of the only ones who consistently shows up every night, it's laughable.

 

I guess just about as laughable as making excuses for every goal that gets past him. :thumbsup:

[BuffaloSoldier2010]

I guess just about as laughable as making excuses for every goal that gets past him. :thumbsup:

 

So what you're saying is that two goals against an incredibly offensive minded team with sh!tty goaltending is good enough?

[PromoTheRobot]

Call me weird but I think the Sabres skating around like Keystone Cops had more to do with Miller's bad goals. I mean great goalies don't need any defense, right?

 

PTR

[spndnchz]

Macrocosm if this team ain't changed.

[SwampD]

Call me weird but I think the Sabres skating around like Keystone Cops had more to do with Miller's bad goals. I mean great goalies don't need any defense, right?

 

PTR

I like Miller and don't blame him for anything, but that goal at the end of the first was a soul crusher.

[tom webster]

I like Miller and don't blame him for anything, but that goal at the end of the first was a soul crusher.

 

 

And Grier took complete blame for that one.

[X. Benedict]

And Grier took complete blame for that one.

 

I've loved Grier's career. Hard-nosed. Cool-headed. Smart. Hard-working player. I suspect he won't be back.

 

The 4th Philly goal was the one on Miller. Wicked shot, but he was beat cleanly.

[JJFIVEOH]

I agree that Miller's tendency to give up the occasional soft goal is maddening, but I'd bet there are at least 25 teams, Philthadelphia included, that would trade their #1 goalie for Miller straight-up if given the chance. Look at Luongo, by all accounts he's a fantastic goaltender, but he got chased from two games and benched for another before coming back to ensure the 'Hawks went out in 7. It happens.

 

Defense and finishing should be cause for hand-wringing, but we should all feel pretty comfortable with Miller in goal.

 

I can guaranty you Philly wouldn't trade for either of those contracts because they wouldn't be able to afford the team they have in front of their goaltender. The Sabres can't afford to shore up the defense and add scoring while paying an average goaltender $6+ mil a year.

[SwampD]

And Grier took complete blame for that one.

I understand that, and if it was a Dman instead there is no way he would have tried to tip it. But he was still pretty far out and it wasn't that hard of a shot,.. soul crusher.

[Miss_The_Amerks]

I agree with the thread. I think Miller has been great, and can be great. But he's not great.

 

Yes, his D was weak in front of him, but with a stronger D, you don't need as huge of a goalie. A great goalie with consistently make saves when the D collapses. That's what makes him great. Miller can do that. Miller doesn't do that every game, and you cant expect him too, but you should be able to expect it more often than we see it.

 

The Miller we saw in games 1 and 4 was a $6.2m Miller. A couple of the other games, I'll say a $4m Miller, give or take.

 

I saw if we want to move forward, we ditch Miller, pick up a $4m starter, use the extra money for that veteran D, or go-to center we all talk about and have that goalie split games 3:1 or 4:1 with Enroth so he's ready to go in 2012-13.

 

I think Enroth is our future, Miller is a capable goal tender, just not worth what we pay him.

[JJFIVEOH]

Vokoun is available, I bet he could be had for around 3 mil. He's got 2-3 years left and would be a good starter while Enroth gains experience. IMO Vokoun is a top 3 goaltender, one of the most consistent in the league.

[X. Benedict]

Vokoun is available, I bet he could be had for around 3 mil. He's got 2-3 years left and would be a good starter while Enroth gains experience. IMO Vokoun is a top 3 goaltender, one of the most consistent in the league.

 

Vokoun would be nuts to sign a contract for less than 5 million per. IMO.

[JJFIVEOH]

Vokoun would be nuts to sign a contract for less than 5 million per. IMO.

 

I agree, he's well worth the $$ and isn't showing his age....... just have a hard time believing any team would drop a ton of money on a 35 year old though.

[Miss_The_Amerks]

I agree, he's well worth the $$ and isn't showing his age....... just have a hard time believing any team would drop a ton of money on a 35 year old though.

I'd worry he'll show all his age at once...

[X. Benedict]

Vokoun has options.....he can sign a one year after his 35th Bday with heavy incentives.

 

I think his contract was originally signed with the 35 year old thing in mind to go through his 34th year.

[LGR4GM]

For the Miller apologists it's funny is how it's all sbout the "TEAM" when they lose, and it's all "MILLER" when they win, especially when it's a 1-0 win.

 

 

I guess just about as laughable as making excuses for every goal that gets past him. :thumbsup:

 

 

I can guaranty you Philly wouldn't trade for either of those contracts because they wouldn't be able to afford the team they have in front of their goaltender. The Sabres can't afford to shore up the defense and add scoring while paying an average goaltender $6+ mil a year.

 

 

I agree with the thread. I think Miller has been great, and can be great. But he's not great. Yes, his D was weak in front of him, but with a stronger D, you don't need as huge of a goalie. A great goalie with consistently make saves when the D collapses. That's what makes him great. Miller can do that. Miller doesn't do that every game, and you cant expect him too, but you should be able to expect it more often than we see it.The Miller we saw in games 1 and 4 was a $6.2m Miller. A couple of the other games, I'll say a $4m Miller, give or take.I saw if we want to move forward, we ditch Miller, pick up a $4m starter, use the extra money for that veteran D, or go-to center we all talk about and have that goalie split games 3:1 or 4:1 with Enroth so he's ready to go in 2012-13. I think Enroth is our future, Miller is a capable goal tender, just not worth what we pay him.

 

 

Vokoun is available, I bet he could be had for around 3 mil. He's got 2-3 years left and would be a good starter while Enroth gains experience. IMO Vokoun is a top 3 goaltender, one of the most consistent in the league.

 

It took some time for this thread to appear but sure enough here it is. Some of you need to learn about capgeek. If you want 2mil more a year for a defensemen wouldnt it make more sense to trade morrisonn? Lets go get Voukoun? are you freaking kidding me? Hes old really old for a goaltender and hes been playing meh for the last 3 years.

 

Ryan Miller isnt worth 6mil we all know that but he is worth around 5.25 every day of the week. His defense gives up high scoring chance shots and he stops a good deal of them. I am not apologizing but you guys are nuts if you think sending Miller away and signing a 4mil a year goaltender will help this team. We were more than 2mil under the cap even with boyes. Its a lose lose situation for a hockey team that needs to keep its stars.

 

You want a top defensmen than in fa sign one and be done. We could easily spend 5mil on def and not compromise are team. One our right wings needs to go away. but it wouldnt be to hard.

 

Lets trade for something we need and give ryan miller an actual defense and offense. And go ahead and call me a apologist but at least I bothered to look at the numbers and know it wouldnt help much to have an extra 2mil... hell thats what the cap will increase this year... Screw this I am out I hate this thread.

[JJFIVEOH]

In the last 3 years, Vokoun has been 2nd, 3rd and 9th in save %. How many times in 7 years has Miller been in the top 10? What kind of team has Vokoun had surrounding him? Don't get me wrong, I think Miller is a good goaltender. But there are a couple of problems. One that we've already mentioned is the cap hit. $6+ mil goes a long way. Take a look at the goaltenders making headlines in the last couple of weeks. Let's take a look at the goaltenders making headlines last year in the playoffs. How much were/are they getting paid? Were those teams dropping serious coin on their netminders? There is no way Miller is worth $5.25.

 

The second problem is IF Enroth is our goaltender of the future, Miller won't accept taking a cut in games played. Nor will Enroth (nor should he) accept being a backup until Miller gets old. There's just too much overlap time and something has to give. Why not dump the high $ contract and use it to improve the rest of the team. Miller finished 17th in save % and 22nd in GAA this year. Somehow I doubt our season would have been any worse with a low $ average goaltender in net.

 

Only reason I mentioned Vokoun is because he is still one of the best and most consistent goaltenders in the league. He would still be our starter and it would give Enroth 20-30 games to gain some experience. If the Sabres wait until Miller's contract runs out to make Enroth the starter.......... well it's just not fair to keep him a backup that long. If the Sabres wait until he becomes a free agent they get NOTHING in return.

 

Edit: Yes I know signing Vokoun would still be a hefty price tag and would likely only leave the Sabres with an extra $2mil or so. My point is we could get him for nothing in return so losing him after his contract is up wouldn't be a big deal.