Miller.......what if?

[Sabres Fan in NS]

DR screwed up the Miller situation when he didn't draft Fucale ... :censored:

 

The Sabres' hands are tied. The market for Miller will not yield much, IMO. Therefore, they have to re-sign him, IMO, for whatever it takes.

 

I agree with 11 and anyone else that is of the opinion that Enroth should be traded.

[dudacek]

What's weird is Enroth might not net much less than Miller — at least if the "Miller will return a low first at most" crowd is right.

He's young, on a cheap contract and has shown signs, included a World Championship gold.

Ben Bishop got Cory Conacher. Jaro Halak netted Lars Eller, Sergei Varlamov got a first and a second. Jonathan Bernier got a second and two players.

 

Regardless, we need to draft a goalie with one of our high picks this year.

I hoped we would have taken Fucale last year, although, in hindsight, Compher is looking real good.

[Stoner]

So far Miller has had two great years. Not coincidentally, they've both been Olympic years. He's been average at best in off years. This year should be proof that his off years haven't been because of the team in front of him. This team couldn't possibly be any worse than the teams he's had in front of him in the past. I think Miller has been great this year and so has his attitude. It's a real shame he'll be back to his normal self once it's over.

 

If the right trade comes along, pull the trigger.

 

Thanks for saving me the time to write that.

 

No thanks to Miller. The franchise is finally moving in the right direction. Say goodbye to Hollywood and the remnants of the The Core.

[darksabre]

 

 

Thanks for saving me the time to write that.

 

No thanks to Miller. The franchise is finally moving in the right direction. Say goodbye to Hollywood and the remnants of the The Core.

 

I know you don't want to believe it, but this team without Miller is going to be a disaster. Be careful what you wish for.

[apuszczalowski]

I know you don't want to believe it, but this team without Miller is going to be a disaster. Be careful what you wish for.

You don't think that him and a few others are wishing for that?

[darksabre]

You don't think that him and a few others are wishing for that?

 

I don't think PA wants the Sabres to be a mess. But that's what we're going to have if we're fielding a young team with insufficient goaltending. As someone who was always luke warm on Miller as a goalie, I've come to like him and I recognize his value to this team over the next three years.

[Huckleberry]

Makarov will be our future #1, Enroth and Hackett are stopgaps untill he arrives.

Now if Miller wants to sign a 5 year contract i'd give it to him. He has earned it, but don't think he wants to stay.

[sicknfla]

 

 

I know you don't want to believe it, but this team without Miller is going to be a disaster. Be careful what you wish for.

 

I think this all goes back to what exactly is the plan?? Personally I have no idea what the plan is anymore. If the plan is to scrap the tank idea then you sign Miller and use some of these picks to acquire some solid players. Throw in a couple FA's and see what happens. If the plan is to still try to get high draft picks this year and next then Miller should not be in the plans.

[dEnnis the Menace]

Makarov will be our future #1, Enroth and Hackett are stopgaps untill he arrives.

Now if Miller wants to sign a 5 year contract i'd give it to him. He has earned it, but don't think he wants to stay.

 

and that scares me. Like D4rk said up thread, we'll be Edmonton 2.0, without the infusion of talent up front. I'd rather hold on to Miller, mediocre or great. At least he's a known commodity and we know how good he can actually be when the situation is right. I have absolutely zero faith in Enroth, and the last two seasons have done nothing but diminish my faith in him. I wouldn't mind seeing Hackett play a little in the bigs to see what he has.

[apuszczalowski]

I don't think PA wants the Sabres to be a mess. But that's what we're going to have if we're fielding a young team with insufficient goaltending. As someone who was always luke warm on Miller as a goalie, I've come to like him and I recognize his value to this team over the next three years.

I really think being miserable and being able to complain about them is what fuels some here and make them happy

[thewookie1]

Based on the said scenario, unless he interested in staying for a few more years at a reasonable contract I trade him regardless where we are in the standings. However my asking price and requirements would change drastically.

 

If we are in the Top 16 of the league and Miller won't resign, I'd look for a 1st rounder in 2015, the goaltender Miller is replacing as starter, and probably some low conditional pick.

If we are playoff contention but not in exactly I'd ask for about the same.

If we are still in the bottom 5 however I'd go after a 1st rounder in 2015, the other team's top goalie prospect, and a 4th rounder this year.

 

[Byebye]

 

 

I like this line of thinking. Good post.

 

I want to keep Miller very badly. That said, if I'm Miller and you tell me 10% less than what Hank got; I tell you to go ###### yourself. Then you say on 5% less than what Hank got, I say "Hey, go piss in your hat!" "I'll take the same contract for 6 years." You might be able to get it down to 5 years but I don't think he'll take less than 2% of what Hank got. Especially after he brings back gold from Russia.

 

Go USA!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

Very well said!, except I believe he signs a deal worth the same or more then Lundqvist. He's stellar performance to keep USA in the gold medal game(and bring home a silver medal) won't hurt either!

[sicknfla]

 

 

 

 

 

Very well said!, except I believe he signs a deal worth the same or more then Lundqvist. He's stellar performance to keep USA in the gold medal game(and bring home a silver medal) won't hurt either!

 

No he won't. First, the only team that gives Hank that deal is the NYR. NOBODY on the open market is giving Miller more than what Hank got. If they do they are crazy. Hopefully PL F is not crazy.

[Taro T]

No he won't. First, the only team that gives Hank that deal is the NYR. NOBODY on the open market is giving Miller more than what Hank got. If they do they are crazy. Hopefully PL F is not crazy.

If the Sabres want to sign him for only 5 years (which makes sense), there is no reason to expect his per season price to be less than Lundy's. That fat Canadian TV deal will boost salaries; Ryan will get his money and I hope Buffalo is the one paying him.

[nfreeman]

Good stuff here boys. Another factor that I think bears mentioning is the the psychological impact on the rest of the team. If the Sabres continue to play well, Miller has a big Olympics and then he re-signs, then everyone feels like a big star has chosen the Sabres. Add a couple of good pickups in the offseason -- who are more likely to chooses the Sabres if Miller has already done so -- and now you have a lot of positive momentum, confidence and a positive atmosphere around te team, which is the kind of air you want the kids to breathe.

 

OTOH, if Miller makes it clear that he wants out regardless of how the team is playing and what they offer him, it will be a deflating event and another psychological hurdle to overcome.

 

I think he would sign for $7.65MM x 5 years IF the Sabres continue to play well, but that is pure speculation.

[LGR4GM]

I think he is gone. Right now he is in total showcase mode. Both for the Oympics and his future bidders. He is going to be the perfect teammate and be on his best behavior.

 

I say get what we can for him. If this team is going to be a serious cup contender in 3-4 years it is not likely you would want your goalie to be 35-36 years old. Then you are facing the prospect of having a great team with an aging goaltender. I would take my chances that between now and 3-4 years I can find a way to have us in a better GT situation than with Miller at that time.

 

For instance use one of the expected late first rounders we will get via trade and draft a goalie. Now you have your goalie that you can look to 3 years down the road. If Miller is resigned I still do this. Signing Miller IMO would be more for cap floor reasons than anything else.

There is no reason for the Sabres to waste first round picks on goaltending. None.

What's weird is Enroth might not net much less than Miller — at least if the "Miller will return a low first at most" crowd is right.

He's young, on a cheap contract and has shown signs, included a World Championship gold.

Ben Bishop got Cory Conacher. Jaro Halak netted Lars Eller, Sergei Varlamov got a first and a second. Jonathan Bernier got a second and two players.

 

Regardless, we need to draft a goalie with one of our high picks this year.

I hoped we would have taken Fucale last year, although, in hindsight, Compher is looking real good.

This goes to both of the above quoted posts. Look at all 30teams starting gt, someone who has started more than 50% of the games. Now list all of the players who were selected in the first round. There is absolutely no reason to waste a first rounder on gt unless Martin Brodeur is there.

 

Makarov will be our future #1, Enroth and Hackett are stopgaps untill he arrives.

Now if Miller wants to sign a 5 year contract i'd give it to him. He has earned it, but don't think he wants to stay.

Impo Ullmark will be the new #1 gt within the next few years. This also goes to the point above, we have at least 4 players in the system right now who could be number 1gt. We have 1 top rw in Armia. We need offense.

 

As for Miller. If they can't trade him sign him. If he won't sign take what you can get. This team is better with miller on it.

[qwksndmonster]

Sign Miller and make hackett his backup. That gives time for Ullnark and Makarov and any 1st or 2nd round goalie we pick up in the draft to develop.

 

If the rebuild is a good one, Miller could definitely take us to a cup. Remember that Boston just won with an aged Thim Tomas playing out of his mind, something Miller is capable of doing. TB also made a run to the ECF recently with like a 50 year old Roloson. Unless Miller's body is battered from the Lindy years, a fat 6 year contract would be ok with me.

[nfreeman]

 

 

I think this all goes back to what exactly is the plan?? Personally I have no idea what the plan is anymore. If the plan is to scrap the tank idea then you sign Miller and use some of these picks to acquire some solid players. Throw in a couple FA's and see what happens. If the plan is to still try to get high draft picks this year and next then Miller should not be in the plans.

 

I think the plan is to get a top-3 pick this year -- and it is almost impossible for the Sabres to win enough games for that not to happen -- and to make the playoffs next year.

[JJFIVEOH]

You don't think that him and a few others are wishing for that?

 

Nobody's hoping for this team to be a disaster. But it won't be any different with Miller around after he's done playing for the #1 spot on Team USA.

[CallawaySabres]

Look at the bright side folks - If we re-sign Miller, we have great goalltending for at least the next 4 years and FA will most likely be used to land a big fish as we bring up some prospects next year (along with re-signing Moulson.) If we trade Miller, the chance at McDavid next year becomes very real as there is no way this team finishes better than 5th worst in the league without him. It's a win win in my book....

[JJFIVEOH]

I don't think PA wants the Sabres to be a mess. But that's what we're going to have if we're fielding a young team with insufficient goaltending. As someone who was always luke warm on Miller as a goalie, I've come to like him and I recognize his value to this team over the next three years.

 

Everybody came to like him around 4 years ago too. It only went downhill. It's the Stafford Syndrome, make everybody believe you're great until you get what you want.

 

Good stuff here boys. Another factor that I think bears mentioning is the the psychological impact on the rest of the team. If the Sabres continue to play well, Miller has a big Olympics and then he re-signs, then everyone feels like a big star has chosen the Sabres. Add a couple of good pickups in the offseason -- who are more likely to chooses the Sabres if Miller has already done so -- and now you have a lot of positive momentum, confidence and a positive atmosphere around te team, which is the kind of air you want the kids to breathe.

 

OTOH, if Miller makes it clear that he wants out regardless of how the team is playing and what they offer him, it will be a deflating event and another psychological hurdle to overcome.

 

I think he would sign for $7.65MM x 5 years IF the Sabres continue to play well, but that is pure speculation.

 

So the team should feel priveledged?

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

So here's the question....

 

Do you try to get him locked up before the Olympics?

 

Everyone is assuming he is going to have a great showing. What if he is dog meat? Heck, Enroth won the Worlds this year. That's not a simple task. You can look really bad signing Miller to 5/38 right before the Olympics then he craps the bed. If you let him go there and he gets gold, then my opinion is he will ride the emotional wave and not stay in Buffalo unless it is for crazy money.

 

If you don't sign him and he craps...do you really want him here long term? Will his trade value go down the tubes?

 

The smartest thing to do is to make a move before the Olympics one way or another. If you really want him, get it done. If you are so-so and he is not thrilled about talking, move him...because there is no positive scenario coming out of the Olympics other than him winning a Gold and the Sabres trading him soon after.

 

I'm fine either way. If they keep developing skilled defenseman who can clear the net, he can be worth it. I'm also fine giving Enroth 50 games next year to see if he's the real deal and using any picks in a deal for someone else.

[Robviously]

I think this all goes back to what exactly is the plan?? Personally I have no idea what the plan is anymore. If the plan is to scrap the tank idea then you sign Miller and use some of these picks to acquire some solid players. Throw in a couple FA's and see what happens. If the plan is to still try to get high draft picks this year and next then Miller should not be in the plans.

There's pretty much no version of the plan where Miller makes a lot of sense. He's 34 next year. We want to give him a six year contract? He'll be 34 to 39. We're currently rebuilding around guys drafted in 2008 or later. And from Miller's perspective, why would he want to spend the last years of his prime with the Sabres? He's good enough to make sure they don't finish dead last in the league but he can't help them make the playoffs. He hasn't had a legitimate chance at a Cup since 2007 and another team could give him that.

 

If the Ducks are interested, they have a lot of prospects that could help us. It's a little tougher to figure out what we could ask for (and get) from the Blues, but there's probably a deal to be made there too.

 

We can't trade Pominville and Vanek, and then panic and try to hold onto UFAs like Miller, Ott, and Moulson. You're either rebuilding or you're not.

[Huckleberry]

Guess i have a bit more faith in Enroth than i said above, didn't want to be make it look like he is a crap goalie.

But i do believe we got better goalies than him in our system. But he will be our #1 the next two years for sure, the spot will be his to hold on to.

[nfreeman]

Everybody came to like him around 4 years ago too. It only went downhill. It's the Stafford Syndrome, make everybody believe you're great until you get what you want.

 

So the team should feel priveledged?

 

Comparing Miller to Stafford doesn't advance your point. It only hurts your credibility.

 

As for feeling privileged, I assume you are asking (rhetorically) whether the Sabres should feel privileged if Miller chooses to stay. I think the answer to that is yes -- i.e. when a star player chooses to sign with a team that is dead last in the NHL, and that team is on pace to score the fewest goals in the NHL in 30+ years (so the star player, a goalie, is getting a historically low level of support), and that team has been mismanaged and poorly constructed such that it has gotten worse every year for the last 5 years -- then yes, that team should feel privileged if that star player chooses to sign with that team.

 

So here's the question....

 

Do you try to get him locked up before the Olympics?

 

Everyone is assuming he is going to have a great showing. What if he is dog meat? Heck, Enroth won the Worlds this year. That's not a simple task. You can look really bad signing Miller to 5/38 right before the Olympics then he craps the bed. If you let him go there and he gets gold, then my opinion is he will ride the emotional wave and not stay in Buffalo unless it is for crazy money.

 

If you don't sign him and he craps...do you really want him here long term? Will his trade value go down the tubes?

 

The smartest thing to do is to make a move before the Olympics one way or another. If you really want him, get it done. If you are so-so and he is not thrilled about talking, move him...because there is no positive scenario coming out of the Olympics other than him winning a Gold and the Sabres trading him soon after.

 

I'm fine either way. If they keep developing skilled defenseman who can clear the net, he can be worth it. I'm also fine giving Enroth 50 games next year to see if he's the real deal and using any picks in a deal for someone else.

 

I agree that it's best to re-sign him before the Olympics. However, if he won't sign, then I think it's best to wait for the deadline bidding frenzy, as this will most likely bring the highest return in trade.

 

There's pretty much no version of the plan where Miller makes a lot of sense. He's 34 next year. We want to give him a six year contract? He'll be 34 to 39. We're currently rebuilding around guys drafted in 2008 or later. And from Miller's perspective, why would he want to spend the last years of his prime with the Sabres? He's good enough to make sure they don't finish dead last in the league but he can't help them make the playoffs. He hasn't had a legitimate chance at a Cup since 2007 and another team could give him that.

 

If the Ducks are interested, they have a lot of prospects that could help us. It's a little tougher to figure out what we could ask for (and get) from the Blues, but there's probably a deal to be made there too.

 

We can't trade Pominville and Vanek, and then panic and try to hold onto UFAs like Miller, Ott, and Moulson. You're either rebuilding or you're not.

 

Well, you could certainly be right that Miller might not be interested in staying, but the Pommer/Vanek/suffering plan was the prior administration's "blueprint."

 

An older goalie doesn't need to be incompatible with a younger group of skaters. We've seen a number of goalies stay really good into their mid-thirties. A 5-year extension would end when he is 38.

 

To me it comes down to what would be best for the Sabres over the next 3-4 years. I think having Miller during that period would significantly facilitate their transformation into a real team. It's certainly possible that his play falls off for the last couple of years of his deal, but maybe not, and in the meantime I don't think his cost would cramp their cap situation.