Please, don't crucify me, because let me be clear before I continue:

IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM, AM I BLAMING MILLER. HE WAS ONE OF THE ONLY REASONS THAT WE STAYED WITH BOSTON.

But with all the games he played, our lack of support at back up, the extra games he played for the olympics... I think he could have been even better.

Where am I going with this?

A lot of people are criticizing Darcy for 'not going for it' because Ryan was having a "career year".

Well, in my opinion, this season wasn't the ceiling for Miller. In fact, I think the best is yet to come.

With proper rest, and another offseason with a burning desire to bring the Sabres to the big dance, Miller will come back next season with an even better game.

He's got the best work ethic on this team... if not the best in the entire NHL. Why shouldn't we expect him to lead by example, as he has done since he's been here, and improve his game even more?

I expect him to stay standing a little more often next season, and find a way to challenge a little less so he's not all in once he commits to a shot.

I also expect him to get better at playing the puck.

Can anyone else pin point areas of his game that you'd like to see him improve?

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Wheelhouse

Sometimes Miller over commits himself. That's about all I can think of.

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Driver of the Tyler Ennis Bandwagon, Ridin' shotgun on the Tyler Myers Bandwagon, chillin' on the Luke Adam Bandwagon


Eh

HE NEEDS A COMPETENT FUCKING BACKUP GOOD CHRIST

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mechaphil

yeah, i disagree. i think this was the pinnacle of millers career, stat wise. i think he could have a very similar year next year, but at 30, hes development is over. this is what he is. and hes a top 3 goalie in the NHL.

but this season was a banner year.

that being said, at 30 (next year), the sabres need to commit to miller and winning the same way miller has committed to the franchise and the city. they owe him one more GREAT chance.

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There's always room for improvement... But I don't think we should just rely on Miller having a better season and think that everything will be alright. It's a team game, and his teammates need to better. Especially our "core" guys... Ryan did what was expected out of him, but the same can't be said for some of his teammates.

Next season I think he'll benefit from not playing such a condensed schedule and extra games because of the Olympics, and if we can land a more solid back up that will help out too. I really don't blame Darcy for this team's demise in the playoffs. Guys like Pominville, Connolly, and Roy were capable of being difference makers and they just didn't for whatever reason. It's hard to put that on management. But like I said, there's always room for improvement and there's always adjustments that should be made. Whether that means certain players like Miller or whoever improving, or management moving and/or acquiring different players...


What do you mean one more chance? It's not like next season is his last chance at winning anything...

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

miller could post better numbers if myers solidifies his defense and the defense overall improves.

this is the ken dryden syndrome. as he got older, his reflexes got worse, and he improvised, turning himself in a great goaltender that was different from his early years (did you know dryden didnt even use his glove hand for a few seasons later in his career? he reprogrammed his stickside to cover his gloveside.)

as miller ages, his reflexes and such could go south, but he can still learn how to position better and improvise. being a smart man (yeah yeah, i know, michigan state education. hes still a smart dude) he should do so.

no, but what im saying, caro, that he is owed one more great chance while hes at his peak. this window in his "maximum prime" should last 2-4 years. but they OWE him the guys around him.

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I agree, there were a few times I noticed that Miller didn't look as good as he's been. For example, I noticed his rebound control wasn't as good as it normally is. That being said, I agree that he is the only reason they were able to hang with Boston and is by no means a scapegoat.

I'm curious to see what management does in the offseason. Adding some top 6 talent that can withstand a physical playoff series and score, someone to help the powerplay, and a vet leader, preferably one with cup experience, would make this a dangerous team IMO.

Technically, you're right Mike. But you've gotta remember too, that rest is tremendously important to reflexes. And rest isn't something Miller's had a whole lot of the past two seasons.

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Wheelhouse

very true. id like to see miller in 60 games a season. not 70.

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This

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I am, you know I am. I am Canadian.
#1 Hockey Nation.

Statistically, I cannot imagine Miller doing much better than he did this year. If he does as well next season, he'll again be one of the top netminders in the league.

As far as the backup:

MILLER IS PART OF THE PROBLEM!

Why? I've heard that he really wants to be like Brodeur in the way he is relied on by the team. He WANTS to be counted on for 70+ games, I heard him say that in an interview 2 seasons ago. Problem is, you'll NEVER have a backup in great form when they play so little.

Uhh, every goalie WANTS to play as many games as they can. Ultimately, it's up to the coach to choose how frequently he wants his goaltenders to play. Miller is a type of goalie who is going to get the majority of the workload, there's no doubt about that, but having a back up goalie who is more reliable than Lalime could go a long way. And for what it's worth... I thought Ryan did a good job at handling such an intense workload this season.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hockey Night in Buffalo

I had a feeling that yours would be the next response.

Miller was tied for 7th in the amount of games played in the regular season at 69. I have to beleive it would have been a bunch more had it not been for the olympic break and Miller needing some extra(?) time off.

Last season, 59, due to injury. The season before that, 2007-2008, he played 76.

Yes, goalies want to play and it IS the coaches job to regin them in. Unfortunately, Lindy let's him play! Lindy let's him burn himself out! Lindy doesn't have a great rep for managing goaltenders.

No backup is gonna be able to do a great job when the starting G plays 70+ games.

He wasn't Halek, that's for sure. I've seen him play better but having said that, he was still amazingly good!

Areas to improve? Playing the puck and using the stick more to make saves and break up passes.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger

Yeah, there was a goal when boston had a 4-2 where I literally had no idea where Miller was because he played so far out. I'm not sure if that's the normal procedure on 4-2's but it sure as hell didn't work there.

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"Call a cop he robbed Delmore blind!!!"
Rick Jeanerette after Marty Biron's diving save back in 2000.

"I'm going to go to the spa and have a hot tub and massage and relax," Miller said. "That's it, and it's back to work tomorrow." Ryan Miller after clinching the North East division.

That plus the powerplay goal that ended game 4 he was about 10 feet out of the crease and Satan just deked around him like he was a statue.

I also agree with X-pensfan, I would like to see Miller be a little more stick-savvy. That would help him out with those cross-crease passes when he is being aggressive.

I wish Miller was on top of me

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"She's like plan C after an 18 pack"

Squanto 7/27/2010

In 2007-2008, Miller played 76 games, and self-admittedly wasn't prepared for the physical toll.

2.64 GAA, .906 Sv %

In 2009-2010, Miller played 75 games (including the Olympics), and not once did he look tired.

2.22 GAA, .929 Sv% (1.35 GAA, .946 Sv% in the Olympics.)

He's been able to adjust his physical training regimen to handle this kind of load, and not suffer in his performance. If Miller wants to play 70 games, let him. He can obviously handle it now.

On the flip side, I would like a decent backup in here so Miller doesn't HAVE to play 70 games.

Regardless of whether he was tired or overplayed...He didnt steal any games for us against boston. Isnt that what our super-elite olympic goalie is supposed to be capable of? I know the team largely took a shit in front of him, but hell...letting in less than 4 goals in game 6 would have been nice. I was pretty disappointed with him in this series, he did that same thing where he makes the most startlingly amazing saves, then lets in a few crap goals.

He let in less than 4 goals in Game 6.

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"I love that you know how to do that." Cheryl/Carol/Crystal

"And I love that I have an erection that doesn't involve homeless people." Kreiger