Vanek_Fanatic_26 wrote:
Would anybody consider trading Enroth for a high draft pick while his value is seemingly high? Miller is a franchise goalie and he could conceivably play until he's Brodeur's age with his work ethic... Just a thought.
Actually, as unpopular as the statement I'm about to make is, I'd be looking at exactly the opposite of this question.
Trading Miller as opposed to Enroth, and here is my reasoning, although, I must warn you, its not sound strategy but we do have a potential Goalie dilemma developing down the road.
1. CV is correct. If you watch Enroth closely, his style is very similiar to Miller's. That may or may not translate into the same amount of focus and hence, success. I am glad you brought that up CV and great eye to catch it. I noticed in his last appearance he played the butterfly very effectively and had a sense of focus like Miller did when he started out as well.
2. Miller is 30 yrs old, Enroth is 22 yrs old. If (and this is really the question to be answered), if Enroth can find that same focus and competitive edge that Miller has, he is the future Goalie of the franchise with many more years of servicibility than Miller has given his age.
3. It has been said keeping Enroth in the AHL to allow him to sharpen his skills this season even further is a good idea. I suggest putting Enroth as a backup to Miller now and allowing Miller to tutor him is of far more value than games played in the AHL at this point and time. Its debatable on both fronts but Miller's knowledge is far more valuable in my opinion.
4. Miller established himself as the starting goaltender for the Sabres in the 2005–06 season at the age of 25.
Lets look at 2 factors here and sub-divide this particular subject:
4a. Millers remaining length of contract = 4 years at $6.25 mil a season.
Miller will be 33 years old, still in his prime and would fetch a very hefty return in a trade scenairio.
4b. Enroth's established age at the end of Millers 3rd year of his current contract = 25.
If Enroth can match or even exceed Miller's early career performance it would be prudent to move forward with him.
5. There is, of course, player loyalty for service rendered and the money side of the equation from a business standpoint.
Ryan Miller is the face of this franchise, and as such, brings in a boatload of money and respect for the Sabres organization. Hence, if Enroth can take both on and off ice tutolage from Miller, it would be another prudent move.
All of this, of course, is merely speculation, for as much as I like Enroth so far, Miller is still my choice hands down without a secondary thought on the subject, but, and it must be noted, if Enroth can turn out performances like Miller, my choice is Enroth hands down if only for the benefits of the organization as a whole. Miller's loyalty to this club and this city are well known, but hockey is a business first and foremost and there are vairables to consider that could immensily benefit the club, the city and its fan base for years to come if Enroth can take the Miller road.
Just my 2 cents is all.