I know this is quite a taboo in many fans eyes, but entertain this for just a second:

If the team's defense is holding tight/getting really good, imagine the stellar scorer(s) you could get if Miller was part of a deal. If defense is locked down, a medicore goaltender would suffice. Point being, Miller IS the #1 commodity this team would have in any trade situation.

Is it THAT ridiculous?

I don't think their defense is locked down. They've gotten better, but they're certainly not a lockdown group. I also personally don't think this trend of disposable goaltenders is going to continue much longer.

I don't really understand this penchant people have for trading Miller just because he has a high trade value. Don't we as Buffalo sports fans always bitch about being the farm team for the rest of the leagues we're in? Don't we always complain that we get good players and never keep them?

When then, once we DO get a very good player who wants to be here, we entertain notions of getting rid of him for a scorer that probably doesn't want to be here at all?

I think the argument of the defense being lockdown is more driven towards the fact that they're playing in a manner that allows Miller to challenge and make big saves.

Some of those stops he made against Ottawa were not saves an average goaltender would make.

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Wheelhouse

With Rivet in his last contract year, there isn't much benefit capwise unless we somehow expect a big deadline deal. I don't care if Bill Gates buys the team, I'll believe that when I see it. I think if anything it is an acknowledgement that the injuries have piled up on him, and he can't overcome that and his lack of speed that doesn't jive with Lindy's gameplan. If he's really being shopped it's for Rivet's benefit, to get him some quality playing time somewhere before he probably has to retire.

Rotten shame though. Without the injuries he would've been the guy who kicked ass the first month he was a Sabre.

Mediocre goaltenders can get you far:




But they won't get you all the way.

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Rest in Peace Nani. 10/3/10

Gerbacity



"Grier coming in over the line. He leaves it to Gaustad. The shot. THEY SCOOOREE!! RING UP ANOTHER ONE FOR THE GOOSE!!! HONK IF YA HEAR THE GOOSE!! 3-0 BUFFALO!"

God that's such a bullshit argument.

Niemi had an all world team in front of him. He didn't have to be great.

All sorts of teams have strengths and weaknesses throughout their lineups.

There isn't one "correct" method. Any given year, one build will overcome another, based on a number of factors.

I don't mind the way the Sabres have done it with Miller. We could have been built stronger up front, but even so, I think they're capable of overcoming their offensive woes with a healthy roster.

We're pretty balanced in terms of our forward lines. Defense is strong. Goaltending is excellent.

Peak at the right time, and things can happen.

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Wheelhouse

If the forward lines played to their salary level, or their salaries matched their production, we'd have a great team or cap room to bring in another top level forward to make it great.

There is no one certain way, but Miller sure as shit is two steps in the right direction.

Ironically, they were VERY healthy in the first half of the games already played, vs. the last dozen...and dare I say, they've actually played better than when they were *healthy*.

Careful what you wish for.

But that's just the point: I'm not suggesting trading Miller for picks or unproven talent. I'm talking about using the Sabres STAR to maybe wheel & deal and get at least one or two STARS who can score, perhaps even in clutch situations.

Let's remember, this team was more potent when there were more dependable scorers---you remember...back when Miller was more average.

I see what you're saying.

.908 and 2.56 in the 2006 playoffs.

.922 and 2.22 in the 2007 playoffs.

BUT, better goaltending can compensate for a weaker offense.

Not only that, but Miller won't bring in the return that you're looking for to bolster our offense enough to make the trade worth while.

Additionally, who do you start after Miller's gone? You think Enroth is capable of coming up with those numbers in the playoffs? I don't.

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Wheelhouse

If we traded Miller for Crosby (just saying), Lalime would find a way to lose the games. We need to get rid of bulky pay checks for underperforming forwards and use that cash to fish in the Summer market.

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But he made big saves when he had to for the most part. Leighton totally missed that save and did so several other times. Miller, I would like to think, would not have allowed that goal. It was an easy save that a mediocre goaltender was not able to make. Leighton, at best, is a 1b goalie and they played him as a #1. Sure, Boucher was injured and they did not have much choice. But, mediocre goalies do not win championships.

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Rest in Peace Nani. 10/3/10

Gerbacity



"Grier coming in over the line. He leaves it to Gaustad. The shot. THEY SCOOOREE!! RING UP ANOTHER ONE FOR THE GOOSE!!! HONK IF YA HEAR THE GOOSE!! 3-0 BUFFALO!"

Just wondering, why has there been a kind of 'trade miller' push? (or if not a push for him being traded throwing him around in trade talks) Is it because he's not playing like a Vezina winner every game? Not trying to attack here, just curious.

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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.

Craig Rivet + Tim Conolly for Brad Richards.

Then we'll give the Stars' GM his kids back...

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"Let's just trap Sekera in the caverns underneath HSBC arena." -BlueandYellow

Reporter: "Steve, you guys now lead the league in defensive scoring."
Montador: "It's probably because of how good-looking we are."

got me... I send Vanek packing before I send Miller packing.... Miller, Myers, Ennis, Adam, Kassian, Monte, are my current untouchables... there are other players I certainly like that i dont want to see traded but those 6 are untouchable for me currently.

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There is not trade Miller push.

A couple people are tossing ideas out. I totally disagree with their position, but there is no push at all.

I do agree Miller is a step or two in the right direction for the club.

I don't agree with players "playing to their salary level", if this was the case, Miller was worth a whole lot more than 6.25 mil last season.

The salary level is agreed to by both management and the player/agent, therefore its both parties responsibility to ensure the player achieves the necessary goals to be successful.

In the case of the Sabres, as this dead horse gets beat yet again, riding a goaltender into the playoffs and cup contention has a slim chance of success. Been there, done that.

Lets beat the Darcy Regier dead horse routine one more time as well.
It is his responsibility to put together the appropriate pieces for success.
The Defense isn't that bad defensively, but offensively the Defense is superb this season.

The Offense is 2 or 3 pieces away from competing on a serious scale. Buffalo needs to sustain longer forechecking runs int he opponents end as well as learn to hit the net when they shoot.
Anyways, thats the problems I see.

Just my 2 pennies is all.

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Lord Stanley's Cup is what its all about.
Mr. Pegula, your destiny awaits you sir.

Hopefully our playoff hopes don't ride on a shootout against the Pens with Crosby as the last shooter.

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I've always thought the Sun was the tabloid of the hockey world and typically assume that the opposite of what they report will happen is what actually becomes reality.

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Miles to go before I sleep

‎"Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."
-Khalil Gibran