Alex isn't saying that, he's using it as a comparison point that if fans were allowed to take cheap shots at Deeroy Jenkins or Connolly or Vanek or Stafford about their personal lives, Miller should be fair game too, validity of the comments or not.

I think anyone who is going to criticize a player for what they do off the ice is a moron. Fans need to stop putting these athletes on such a high pedestal and assume they can't do other things except dedicate every second of their life to playing hockey. Aside from the fact that they are really good at hockey and really rich, they are just normal people. They have other hobbies and interests outside of hockey, just like we do. And maybe some of the things that they do might have a negative impact on their performance, but I just don't think a fan is in any sort of positition to make that assumption. We only know a small part of these guys, we only see them as professional athletes and public figures. We have no idea what else is going on in their lives, and nor should we.

Caroline, you just aren't getting it

Caroline, you just aren't getting it

Yes I am. You're annoyed that people can criticize other players unfairly but when people say something about Miller people get really upset.

Miller is given a longer leash than most players mostly in part because he is usually consistent and does his job, and partially because he's simply one of the most well-liked players among fans. Players like Stafford and Vanek have shorter leashes with fans because they have been considered disappointments by most fans over the past few years. A lot of people view Stafford as a bust. A lot of people give Vanek shit because of his huge contract. Miller on the other hand, has not been a disappointment. So when he does have an off night or a bad stretch, fans are more willing to give him slack and defend him than they would if it's players like Vanek or Stafford. They have to "earn" a longer leash, like Miller has, so to speak.

But trust me, if Miller continues to play like this for the rest of the season, there is going to be less backlash when people give him shit. It happened in 08. Vanek and Miller were the fan's favorite whipping boys.

This is hockey related, but I'm putting in here for reasons that will be very obvious.

I've already reached my limit with people sniping at Miller because of his engagement. I think it's downright retarded, and shows zero class as fans. Yes, the team is playing like trash. Yes, Miller isn't at the top of his game either. But none of that has anything to do with his personal relationship.

Alex tweeted this tonight, and I couldn't believe it. (I don't mean to single you out Alex, but this really got me going.)



A guy does some NHL pub as a marketable NHL player, and he doesn't care about the game anymore? We bitch about how the NHL doesn't market anyone but Crosby, but when they market OUR guy (something which we should be proud of), our guy is now shit for doing it?

Ryan Miller was dating his fiance last year before the Olympics, and he was awesome. He doesn't just all of a sudden turn to shit because he put a ring on it. His relationship has NOTHING to do with his play, yet people find the need to snipe at him about it. I think it's ignorant, and distasteful.

Yes, I know this is something that Alex said, but these little shots have been flying around ever since news of the engagement came out. I think people should man up. If you want to criticize his play, fine. But blaming it on his engagement is fucking retarded.

(And because someone will bring it up, I'm writing this as me. Not as a mod, not saying people shouldn't bring it up or anything.)

I think it's safe to say that Miller put a little less emphasis in his offseason training.

He was in LA.

1. You have no idea that Miller was in LA the entire summer.
2. You have no idea what Miller did with his time in the offseason.

1. You have no idea that Miller was in LA the entire summer.
2. You have no idea what Miller did with his time in the offseason.

I don't for sure.

But his on ice play suggests he didn't come as prepared this season as he did last season.

I'm allowed to observe and hypothesize.

He had his golden year last season. Expecting him to be as good as he was last year is asking for too much.