Transfer of Power: THE EMERGENCE OF ENROTH!

[HopefulFuture]

So, since so many of us fans on this board have an opinion one way or the other on the current goalie situation here in Buffalo, I thought it appropriate to start a thread on the pros and cons of where people stand on this.

 

This is not a "HATE ON MILLER" or "HATE ON ENROTH" thread, this is merely to size up which side of the fence we fans sit on when it comes to our goaltending situation.

 

Ryan Miller was a 5th round draft pick

Ryan Miller has blown every must win scenario game he's played in

Ryan Miller has won nothing at the professional level to date

Ryan Miller is a slightly above average netminder

Ryan Miller is not an elite goaltender, and no matter how often people say it, it doesn't make it true

With that geing said I do believe Miller is an above average goaltender and at times, has played well for the Sabres

He's just not a "big game" goalie, and probably never will be, no hate, just my honest opinion of him

 

Jhonas Enroth was a 2nd round draft pick

Jhonas Enroth looks ready to step in

He is confident, he stated he wanted the starting position 3 seasons ago when he arrive in North America

He looks comfortable out there and I noticed the team responds to his confidence when they play infront of him

Although he doesn't have the NHL body of work to go off of, his AHL work was decent

 

I'd like Enroth as the starting goaltender, and I'd like Miller traded to help bring in that elusive center help we so desperately need.

I am not saying Miller is a bad goalie by any stretch, just that this team has a choice now and it needs a player of preceived star status to draw in another team to trade a center of this caliber. I'm not saying Miller will acquire Eric Staal or Sidney Crosby, I am merely saying we now have options, and Miller, in a package deal with a winger or D man could fetch a very handsome return indeed. And I'd be totally comfortable with Enroth as the starter at this point, after seeing him play some games.

 

In short, Ryan Miller needs to be traded, stand alone or in a package deal for that elusive center help.

[Lanny]

"This is not a hate on Miller thread," then you do so for the remainder of your post. :clapping:

 

I'd prefer Enroth do it over a longer period than just 18 games before I make a franchise altering decision on him.

[JKB1646]

I think you're crazy and a typical spectator ready to jump ship. Roy and Stafford have had enough time on this team and have done ZIP. Package those two for anything.

[DumbPuck]

I would be very interested in switching to a "play til you lose" system. How long can a second round draft pick who plays like Enroth be expected to sit around on a bench?

[LastPommerFan]

I would be very interested in switching to a "play til you lose" system. How long can a second round draft pick who plays like Enroth be expected to sit around on a bench?

 

Until he reaches UFA, Gets Traded, or signs a Offer Sheet. This thread is predicated on the notion that every last professional hockey analyst in the world is wrong. That is a bad place to start an argument.

[dEnnis the Menace]

I like Miller, but I think right now, he's lost his "spark." I think Enroth is playing better RIGHT NOW. I don't think he's a better goalie yet, I just think he's playing better now. I think that putting him in for a few games might spark Miller to play better, because he may notice "I might lose my starting job"

[LastPommerFan]

 

Ryan Miller was a 5th round draft pick

Ryan Miller has blown every must win scenario game he's played in

Ryan Miller has won nothing at the professional level to date

Ryan Miller is a slightly above average netminder

Ryan Miller is not an elite goaltender, and no matter how often people say it, it doesn't make it true

With that geing said I do believe Miller is an above average goaltender and at times, has played well for the Sabres

He's just not a "big game" goalie, and probably never will be, no hate, just my honest opinion of him

 

 

Jhonas Enroth was a 2nd round draft pick

Jhonas Enroth has blown every must win scenario game he's played in

Jhonas Enroth has won nothing at the professional level to date

Jhonas Enroth is a slightly above average netminder

Jhonas Enroth is not an elite goaltender, and no matter how often people say it, it doesn't make it true

With that geing said I do believe Enroth is an above average goaltender and at times, has played well for the Sabres

He's just not a "big game" goalie, and probably never will be, no hate, just my honest opinion of him

[LastPommerFan]

I like Miller, but I think right now, he's lost his "spark." I think Enroth is playing better RIGHT NOW. I don't think he's a better goalie yet, I just think he's playing better now. I think that putting him in for a few games might spark Miller to play better, because he may notice "I might lose my starting job"

 

this

[papazoid]

I like Miller, but I think right now, he's lost his "spark." I think Enroth is playing better RIGHT NOW. I don't think he's a better goalie yet, I just think he's playing better now. I think that putting him in for a few games might spark Miller to play better, because he may notice "I might lose my starting job"

 

what he said....

[DumbPuck]

Go with the evil you know ... or the evil you do not know ... this argument is tired.

[Tyrannustyrannus]

Miller had a .930 save % and a 2.14 GAA going into last night. I don't think he's the problem.

 

What "must win" games has Miller lost? Last night was not a "must win" game, it was game 10 of an 82 game season. No one has made the playoffs by winning their 10th game. Are you referring to the game 7 he lost to Carolina in 2006 with an AHL defense in front of him? The Olympics? Last season vs Philly? What exactly are you referring to?

 

Last night we lost because we didn't show up until sometime after 8:00 and couldn't score on the power play at all. Miller let in 2 soft goals, but Philly coasted the last 50 minutes of the game and we couldn't tie it.

 

All this sensationalized "sky is falling" crap needs to stop. Its a long season.

[dEnnis the Menace]

Miller had a .930 save % and a 2.14 GAA going into last night. I don't think he's the problem.

 

What "must win" games has Miller lost? Last night was not a "must win" game, it was game 10 of an 82 game season. No one has made the playoffs by winning their 10th game. Are you referring to the game 7 he lost to Carolina in 2006 with an AHL defense in front of him? The Olympics? Last season vs Philly? What exactly are you referring to?

 

Last night we lost because we didn't show up until sometime after 8:00 and couldn't score on the power play at all. Miller let in 2 soft goals, but Philly coasted the last 50 minutes of the game and we couldn't tie it.

 

All this sensationalized "sky is falling" crap needs to stop. Its a long season.

 

He's been crusading about this for a while now...

[rbochan]

Ride the hot hand.

[spndnchz]

Ride the hot hand.

 

This. :blush:

[Weave]

This. :blush:

 

 

You are going to bring PA out of retirement yet.

[Samson's Flow]

I like Miller, but I think right now, he's lost his "spark." I think Enroth is playing better RIGHT NOW. I don't think he's a better goalie yet, I just think he's playing better now. I think that putting him in for a few games might spark Miller to play better, because he may notice "I might lose my starting job"

I agree with this one. Right now Miller is going back to old (bad) habits of going down to early and exposing the top the net and flyers exploited that. I would be okay with playing Enroth for the next few games or so to keep the hot hand.

 

That being said, this team is not going anywhere deep in the playoffs unless Miller is playing at a high level. The priority should be to get him confident and comfortable long term because he will be needed later in the year. Enroth is not ready to carry a team come playoff time IMO. That is a lot to ask of a young goalie...

[dEnnis the Menace]

I agree with this one. Right now Miller is going back to old (bad) habits of going down to early and exposing the top the net and flyers exploited that. I would be okay with playing Enroth for the next few games or so to keep the hot hand.

 

That being said, this team is not going anywhere deep in the playoffs unless Miller is playing at a high level. The priority should be to get him confident and comfortable long term because he will be needed later in the year. Enroth is not ready to carry a team come playoff time IMO. That is a lot to ask of a young goalie...

 

THIS^

[HopefulFuture]

Miller had a .930 save % and a 2.14 GAA going into last night. I don't think he's the problem.

 

What "must win" games has Miller lost? Last night was not a "must win" game, it was game 10 of an 82 game season. No one has made the playoffs by winning their 10th game. Are you referring to the game 7 he lost to Carolina in 2006 with an AHL defense in front of him? The Olympics? Last season vs Philly? What exactly are you referring to?

 

Last night we lost because we didn't show up until sometime after 8:00 and couldn't score on the power play at all. Miller let in 2 soft goals, but Philly coasted the last 50 minutes of the game and we couldn't tie it.

 

All this sensationalized "sky is falling" crap needs to stop. Its a long season.

There is nothing ripping about my comments on Miller as opposed to Enroth (for those attempting to state it).

And there is nothing that says Enroth will do any better long term as well, it's merely my opinion.

I am looking at all input on this subject from the fan base, so I'm not trying to be argumentative on it, just stating my opinion on it it all.

 

You asked "What must win games has Miller lost?

I submit the following list:

Game 7 Carolina

Game 6 Boston

Game 7 Philadelphia

Gold Medal Game, 2010 Olympics

(and although not a must win game, a very high profile game that comes with its own pressures to perform) Winter Classic

 

Here's the season ending loss for the 07/08 season:

http://espn.go.com/nhl/recap/_/id/280403010/buffalo-sabres-vs-montreal-canadiens

If your an elite goalie, you have to will the team to victory by your very performance.

 

I am also looking at his career stats.

Nothing outside of the Olympic season screams out elite goaltender here.

$6.25 million for a slightly above average netminder who appears to choke in clutch situations is what I base my opinion on.

[Claude_Verret]

So game 6 against Carolina wasn't must win? Game 5 against Boston? And that insistence on including a game where Miller gave up one goal, only to fake lose in a shoot out (yes, I call it a fake loss since it isn't a real loss) continues to be mindnumbing.

 

Awww, now why did you have to go and spoil and perfectly senseless rant?

[apuszczalowski]

Miller had a .930 save % and a 2.14 GAA going into last night. I don't think he's the problem.

 

What "must win" games has Miller lost? Last night was not a "must win" game, it was game 10 of an 82 game season. No one has made the playoffs by winning their 10th game. Are you referring to the game 7 he lost to Carolina in 2006 with an AHL defense in front of him? The Olympics? Last season vs Philly? What exactly are you referring to?

 

Last night we lost because we didn't show up until sometime after 8:00 and couldn't score on the power play at all. Miller let in 2 soft goals, but Philly coasted the last 50 minutes of the game and we couldn't tie it.

 

All this sensationalized "sky is falling" crap needs to stop. Its a long season.

in under 7 minutes of playing time, Miller faced 11 shots on goal, in about 53 minutes of playing time in the same game, Enroth faced 15 shots on goal........

 

I guess winning an Olympic Silver medal (on a team not expecting to even be in medal contention, and being the reason why your team took the hands down favorite team Canada to OT in the gold medal game), Olympic Hockey Tournament MVp, and a Vezina isn't winning anything?

[87168]

Jhonas Enroth was a 2nd round draft pick

Jhonas Enroth has blown every must win scenario game he's played in

Jhonas Enroth has won nothing at the professional level to date

Jhonas Enroth is a slightly above average netminder

Jhonas Enroth is not an elite goaltender, and no matter how often people say it, it doesn't make it true

With that geing said I do believe Enroth is an above average goaltender and at times, has played well for the Sabres

He's just not a "big game" goalie, and probably never will be, no hate, just my honest opinion of him

 

Ummmm this makes no sense. Please fix, seeing as Enroth has yet to play a "must win" game, he hasn't been presented with any professional championship games and he is far from a slightly above average netminder.

 

Did we forget who was in net when the sabres were clawing and scratching away to clinch a playoff spot last spring?

 

ENROTH is not ready to take the staring position just yet but he has shown up to play every game Lindy has put him in, including last night's.

[HopefulFuture]

So game 6 against Carolina wasn't must win? Game 5 against Boston? And that insistence on including a game where Miller gave up one goal, only to fake lose in a shoot out (yes, I call it a fake loss since it isn't a real loss) continues to be mindnumbing.

Winners win, and leaders lead.

I will never understand the need to attempt to defend his play at those most critical moments.

And as for your thoughts on the shootout loss, I would agree, except, at no other time does a goalie have the ability to determine the outcome more so than a 1 vs 1 situation. To me, in any event, Miller is an above average goalie who has a proven track record with regards to clutch performances.

I won't say game 6 wasn't a necessary win, but game 7 was the closer, and it didn't get done, no different really than the season ending loss to the Canadians in the regular season. In both cases, the season ended.

[DumbPuck]

Perhaps Enroth detractors need to stop looking at starting Enroth as a punishment for Miller and begin looking at it as a reward and a test for Enroth who has done nothing but work his ass off at every opportunity.

[HopefulFuture]

Ummmm this makes no sense. Please fix, seeing as Enroth has yet to play a "must win" game, he hasn't been presented with any professional championship games and he is far from a slightly above average netminder.

 

Did we forget who was in net when the sabres were clawing and scratching away to clinch a playoff spot last spring?

 

ENROTH is not ready to take the staring position just yet but he has shown up to play every game Lindy has put him in, including last night's.

And that is fine as well. I respect that opinion on Enroth.

Mine is different, I believe he is ready, not only to take the starting job, but to perform in those clutch situations that Miller has failed to do.

 

It's merely my opinion, but this kid has the goods to get it done, and this team needs this.

[LastPommerFan]

Did we forget who was in net when the sabres were clawing and scratching away to clinch a playoff spot last spring?

 

Are you refering to the 8 games Enroth played after January 1st (when the clawing back started) or the 21-10-5 record Miller put together in what was basically half a season of MUST WIN games?