There has been stretches where he really plays amazing, then has a game or two were he's subpar, and back to amazing again.

But it all depends on how many games he's played in a row though.

_________________

Well every goalie has his critics, but I think most people around the league would consider Lunqvist one of the top goalies in the league.

_________________
"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

Right with you on Lundqvist.

To anyone that doubts Mike's Miller fandom, you can be critical of a guy and still be a fan. This is not a difficult concept, I don't know why so many people don't understand that.

_________________
Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Valid theory. But I'd be shocked if this wasn't just an aberration.

im excited about next year with a more rested miller and a year older enroth.

and for gods sake, get rid of those pads!

_________________

I think playing Miller so hard will ultimately shorten his career. His body is just not designed to play so many times in a row, in back-to-back games, and end up starting for 70 games. I think it's absolutely ridiculous.

I know everyone thinks Lalime is a great guy and I'm not saying he isn't, but if he's not doing anything for the team on the ice, we really should have done something about it a long time ago. Like two seasons ago.

With the exception of last year, I don't see Miller's game to be that far off. He is what he is. He only has 3 more losses than last year, and has appeared in 9 less games to this point. (Assuming he starts 7 out of the last 9) He'll finish with 35 wins probably, and a .915 sv% and a 2.66 GAA.

I don't see the problem with Miller, aside from his amazing run last year, (and thats what that was, an amazing run) he's been the same goalie for the past 5 seasons. We knew what we had when we signed him to that big extension.

His numbers are pretty good, but he's a guy that won't lose you games very often. He rarely has an off night, and is the face of the franchise.

His career still has about 8 good seasons left in it, 5 great seasons, and then 3 sub-par seasons, and then he'll be a veteran back up. I fail to see how he's not living up to expectations.

Sure he's not going to win the Vezina; but unless your name is Price, Thomas, or Rinne you're not gonna have a shot at it this year. They're all having phenomenal seasons.

Miller isn't have a bad season, he's just not having a great season. Thats how I look at it, and there are many factors that go into that. Primarily the revolving door on defense with the injuries, and the poor start we got off to. I bet if someone were to crunch the numbers from games 30-72 his numbers are way better than they were 1-29

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

Squanto 7/27/2010

Miller may be having a down year, but his best years have already begun. Look at good goaltenders like Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, Chris Osgood, and Dominik Hasek. All have played well up to age 40. Hasek, now age 46, is still playing professionally in the KHL, and still has goo playing ability in him.

Goaltenders these days are keeping themselves in prime condition in their 30s, allowing them tio play into their 40s.

_________________
Let's go Buffalo!

I agree that Lundqvist is an elite goaltender and I really don't see why anybody wouldn't consider him to be in that category. However, I do disagree when you said he had an "off year". When was that?

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

Sounds like a time killer, go grab all of my pro-pens quotes, that should keep you busy.


And Miller isn't going to be "more rested" after his arms are sore from hoisting the Cup in your face all summer.



boooyah

_________________
"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

HENRIK LUNDQVIST
Career : .918 sv% 2.33 GAA 33 SO
2010-2011 : .921 sv% 2.35 GAA 10 SO

Looks like his numbers meet your arbitrary standards to classify a goalie as elite.

Miller just became the 8th goaltender in NHL history to have 6 (I believe?) consecutive 30 win seasons.

The goaltender to do it before him? Henrik Lundqvist. And the other names on that list were pretty impressive.

I know wins here are considered a "team stat" but there isn't a single team in the NHL that wins that regularly without their goaltender playing well for them.

_________________
Wheelhouse

Definitely not statistically, but a lot of people criticize his playoff performances and consider him "overrated". The point I was trying to convey, is that most goalies who are considered the top in the league have been called overrated at some point or have had years that are disappointing (to their standards).

Every year there seems to be a different list of goalies who are considered "Top 10" or whatever.

_________________
"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

Lundqvist is also the ONLY goaltender in NHL history to win 30+ games his first six seasons.

_________________
mechaphil

brodeur didnt get it cause of the 94-95 lockout, right?

dammit, and dryden missed it cause he mangled his hand in 74-75.

_________________

see chris osgood. 07-08 and 08-09

_________________

this is the first season i feel he has actually lived up to the hype. i do feel he gets the brodeur treatment, meaning the defense forces the puck to the outside, creating long shots. if you see him giving up alot of goals, its right in the slot or around the net (which, in fairness, shooting from there is a higher shooting percentage, against anyone) but it seems he comes up with the big save from closer in less then other "elite" goaltenders, miller included. of course, that cant be measured, but tis true, IMO.

_________________

Interesting theory Mike. One thing I know is that Giguere benefitted from a world class defence in front of him(maybe not 2003), and huge goalie equipment(more so 2003 than 07). I would never but Giguere in the same talent pool as Miller. Timmy Thomas had an off year last year due to a hip injury. After healing properly and having a capable back-up, Thomas returned to top form this year. I feel Miller can do the same thing next year.

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


Eh

very true. im not saying millers done, but the thought creeped into my head.

giguere had extremely similar numbers to miller, so i put them in the same bracket. whats amazing is how quick and low giguere used to be, he was soooo low and always in position. now you watch him, and its all... he looks like hes 55 out there now. its a shame.

_________________

But wait? I thought save percentage was a metric of a goaltender's abilities only, and not the 'glamor stat' of GAA?

05-06 .922
06-07 .917
07-08 .912
08-09 .916
09-10 .921
10-11 .921
Career .918

This is what confuses me about your goaltender discussions. On one hand, you say that save percentage is the only way to truly evaluate a goalie, and that a goalie around .920 is elite.

Here, we have Lundqvist, who's hung around .920 his entire NHL career, yet you don't consider him elite.

EDIT: Im not trying to pick a fight. It's legitimate confusion.