Who can blame him?!
I would probably want to leave as well.
- Sabresfan88

I truly believe Miller wants to win. I also think he has the talent to win. I have no faith in the organization. Same with the Bills.

We've sucked with him, we can suck without him.

Cheaper.
- Pairo11

No, we dont suck with Miller. We have been average to slightly above average with Miller. Hovering right around 6-10. We remove Miller, we go straight to 13-15 for years. We have no one to replace him.

I think the Sabres can get Vaneks cap hit down to $6.5 while still getting him good money for the next 5 years.

$8-$8-$8-$7-$7-$6-$4-$4 = $52M / 8 years = $6.5M per.

Gives him $38M in the first 5 years which is $7.6M avg. Then still paying him a pretty $4M per when hes 37 and 38 years old and still leaves him with the possibility of getting at least 1 more contract at the end of his career at 38.

He'll already be 30 turning 31 in the first year of that contract. If they give him 8 years, theres no way they can justify paying a 38 year old $7M+... he can sign a contract like ive given above with adjusted numbers. I believe you cant go less than 50% of the max in any single year.
- theblueandgold

That would be nice if he would agree to it, but I doubt it. Don't forget he still has another year to go, the market could be poopter so Perry might not be a comparable, and he might have a so-so year.

He'd probably go for 8 million for the first 5 years, then 6 for 2, then 4.

so 8-8-8-8-8-6-6-4 = 56/8 = 7 mil Right back where we started basically. That's if we tried to sign him today.

Except we actually draft well and have prospects in the pipeline.

I get it, youre not a fan of Miller. Just get ready for it.
- theblueandgold

Throughout the years, this team has had very good goaltending!
It is about time to fix the real problem with this team, OUR D!!!

No, we dont suck with Miller. We have been average to slightly above average with Miller. Hovering right around 6-10. We remove Miller, we go straight to 13-15 for years. We have no one to replace him.
- theblueandgold

+1

That would be nice if he would agree to it, but I doubt it. Don't forget he still has another year to go, the market could be poopter so Perry might not be a comparable, and he might have a so-so year.

He'd probably go for 8 million for the first 5 years, then 6 for 2, then 4.

so 8-8-8-8-8-6-6-4 = 56/8 = 7 mil Right back where we started basically. That's if we tried to sign him today.
- rsj2588

I dont see a team willing to pay a 35 year old $8M.

Take into account that hes very inconsistent. He'll be past his prime. History of decline as players age down that end of their careers. He was severely overpaid for the majority of his first contract.

I dont think Vanek will command that type of money.

Except we actually draft well and have prospects in the pipeline.

I get it, youre not a fan of Miller. Just get ready for it.
- theblueandgold

Yea I'm not looking forward to it. He is better than what his numbers show. This team has been horrible defensively for years. He faces more scoring chances than anyone in the league. Give Enroth 5 starts in a row in the middle of a season with this team, by the 3rd game the D will loosen up and he will have to face 2 on 1's and breakaways all night. He played good Tuesday, but faced 1 New York Ranger PP and only had maybe a few good stops. Miller would love a game like that once and a while.

No, we dont suck with Miller. We have been average to slightly above average with Miller. Hovering right around 6-10. We remove Miller, we go straight to 13-15 for years. We have no one to replace him.
- theblueandgold

At $6.25M per, average to slightly above doesn't cut it. I'd rather pay a LOT less and suck just a little bit more.

Just a Sabre mentality I guess.

(Shrugs shoulders)

Yea I'm not looking forward to it. He is better than what his numbers show. This team has been horrible defensively for years. He faces more scoring chances than anyone in the league. Give Enroth 5 starts in a row in the middle of a season with this team, by the 3rd game the D will loosen up and he will have to face 2 on 1's and breakaways all night. He played good Tuesday, but faced 1 New York Ranger PP and only had maybe a few good stops. Miller would love a game like that once and a while.
- sbroads24

Very true!
Our D leave Miller hang to dry almost every freaking game!!
We need to fix our D!
Our goaltending is not the issue here!
Bernier is not the answer for the Sabres, IMO!
Time to fix our D

Yea I'm not looking forward to it. He is better than what his numbers show. This team has been horrible defensively for years. He faces more scoring chances than anyone in the league. Give Enroth 5 starts in a row in the middle of a season with this team, by the 3rd game the D will loosen up and he will have to face 2 on 1's and breakaways all night. He played good Tuesday, but faced 1 New York Ranger PP and only had maybe a few good stops. Miller would love a game like that once and a while.
- sbroads24

Yep. I saw the same thing. That blocker save in front of the net was the only hard save he had to make all game. Going back to the last 3 games Miller has played I can count at least 5 times each game that he was put in situations like that where he either made the save or they ended up scoring.

I found out last year that people in here expect Miller to save breakaways and 2 on 1's. They arent impressed when he makes those saves, but disappointed when he lets them in.

Yep. I saw the same thing. That blocker save in front of the net was the only hard save he had to make all game. Going back to the last 3 games Miller has played I can count at least 5 times each game that he was put in situations like that where he either made the save or they ended up scoring.

I found out last year that people in here expect Miller to save breakaways and 2 on 1's. They arent impressed when he makes those saves, but disappointed when he lets them in.
- theblueandgold

I actually feel bad for Miller!
I don't blame him at all if he wants to be traded!
Most nights, he is the only player on the ice that shows up and is willing to play hard!

+1
- Sabresfan88

I've been watching this team since 1975-1976.

2nd sucks. It's time for change. Bring in a regime that can win it all. Don't settle. Win. Same for the Bills.

Yep. I saw the same thing. That blocker save in front of the net was the only hard save he had to make all game. Going back to the last 3 games Miller has played I can count at least 5 times each game that he was put in situations like that where he either made the save or they ended up scoring.

I found out last year that people in here expect Miller to save breakaways and 2 on 1's. They arent impressed when he makes those saves, but disappointed when he lets them in.
- theblueandgold

It's telling that Miller would be hard to trade at the deadline because most playoff teams are set at goalie. It shows how important good goaltending is. Look at the bottom feeders in the league. WSH, FLA, BUF, PHI, EDM, CGY, all horrible goaltending or defensive teams

I've been watching this team since 1975-1976.

2nd sucks. It's time for change. Bring in a regime that can win it all. Don't settle. Win. Same for the Bills.
- Pairo11

I am with you on winning!
I am all for wanting to win the cup!
However, our goaltending, for most part has been solid.
It's our D, that has been suckinIg for years!
I hope we get to draft Seth Jones!!

Yep. I saw the same thing. That blocker save in front of the net was the only hard save he had to make all game. Going back to the last 3 games Miller has played I can count at least 5 times each game that he was put in situations like that where he either made the save or they ended up scoring.

I found out last year that people in here expect Miller to save breakaways and 2 on 1's. They arent impressed when he makes those saves, but disappointed when he lets them in.
- theblueandgold

He had to stop a 2 on 0 against Carolina. People act like it's no biggie. Rinne and Lundqvist get beat just as much as Miller on odd man rushes, and they definitely don't face as many

Driving from Tampa to Statesville, NC tomorrow.

G'night all !

He had to stop a 2 on 0 against Carolina. People act like it's no biggie. Rinne and Lundqvist get beat just as much as Miller on odd man rushes, and they definitely don't face as many
- sbroads24

And they are overpaid too.

And they are overpaid too.
- dadeadhead

If you have to overpay a player, and know that goaltending won't be an issue, i'm fine with that. I don't think Miller is top 3. But I do think he is top 10. Washington would be a playoff team with Miller, have you seen some of the goals Holtby is letting in?

If you have to overpay a player, and know that goaltending won't be an issue, i'm fine with that. I don't think Miller is top 3. But I do think he is top 10. Washington would be a playoff team with Miller, have you seen some of the goals Holtby is letting in?
- sbroads24

Washington is a mess.

Remember, he didn't want to trade for Drury. Thought it was to much to give up. Quinn supposedly pulled the trump card and forced him.
- dadeadhead

Tough to know for sure what goes on behind closed doors...
U may be right, but he was GM at the time, so he should at least get some credit

If you have to overpay a player, and know that goaltending won't be an issue, i'm fine with that. I don't think Miller is top 3. But I do think he is top 10. Washington would be a playoff team with Miller, have you seen some of the goals Holtby is letting in?
- sbroads24

Goalatender in NHL = QB in NFL
If you have to overpay for a good goalie = QB, so be it!!

We'd be worse. Life after Miller is going to be just like life after Hasek was for a few years.
- theblueandgold

Prob true....
But a young talented goalie like Bernier can grow with the rest of our young guys and hopefully (at some point) be counted on as a true #1 goalie

I dont see a team willing to pay a 35 year old $8M.

Take into account that hes very inconsistent. He'll be past his prime. History of decline as players age down that end of their careers. He was severely overpaid for the majority of his first contract.

I dont think Vanek will command that type of money.
- theblueandgold

Tim Thomas? Best years 34-37
Jacques Plante? age 33 - Most wins in his career, age 40 and 42 sub 2.00 GAA in over 37 GP
George Hainsworth? Played every single game from 35-40
Andy Moog - Didn't get good until he was 35!
Turk Broda - 4 Stanley Cups between 32-36
Ed Belfour - Beast all career long, especially good between 30-42
Patrick Roy - Stanley Cup @ 35 - 4 more elite level years, although he only played 2 of them
Tony Esposito - 2 of his top years were when he was 36-37
Gump Worsley - Didn't get good until he was 33... played until 39 before he broke down and was serviceable until 44
Gary Cheevers - ...
Johny Bower - Didn't win a stanley cup until he was 37 AND THEN HE WON 4!!!!!
If you want anymore examples I will get the next 10 ready. Ryan Miller is on par with all of the players. Barring any horrible freak accidents I will make an educated wager that he plays through 40...

Tim Thomas? Best years 34-37
Jacques Plante? age 33 - Most wins in his career, age 40 and 42 sub 2.00 GAA in over 37 GP
George Hainsworth? Played every single game from 35-40
Andy Moog - Didn't get good until he was 35!
Turk Broda - 4 Stanley Cups between 32-36
Ed Belfour - Beast all career long, especially good between 30-42
Patrick Roy - Stanley Cup @ 35 - 4 more elite level years, although he only played 2 of them
Tony Esposito - 2 of his top years were when he was 36-37
Gump Worsley - Didn't get good until he was 33... played until 39 before he broke down and was serviceable until 44
Gary Cheevers - ...
Johny Bower - Didn't win a stanley cup until he was 37 AND THEN HE WON 4!!!!!
If you want anymore examples I will get the next 10 ready. Ryan Miller is on par with all of the players. Barring any horrible freak accidents I will make an educated wager that he plays through 40...
- JCSabs06

thank you. i love this post!

Tim Thomas? Best years 34-37
Jacques Plante? age 33 - Most wins in his career, age 40 and 42 sub 2.00 GAA in over 37 GP
George Hainsworth? Played every single game from 35-40
Andy Moog - Didn't get good until he was 35!
Turk Broda - 4 Stanley Cups between 32-36
Ed Belfour - Beast all career long, especially good between 30-42
Patrick Roy - Stanley Cup @ 35 - 4 more elite level years, although he only played 2 of them
Tony Esposito - 2 of his top years were when he was 36-37
Gump Worsley - Didn't get good until he was 33... played until 39 before he broke down and was serviceable until 44
Gary Cheevers - ...
Johny Bower - Didn't win a stanley cup until he was 37 AND THEN HE WON 4!!!!!
If you want anymore examples I will get the next 10 ready. Ryan Miller is on par with all of the players. Barring any horrible freak accidents I will make an educated wager that he plays through 40...
- JCSabs06

Well that comment was about Vanek.

And you just compared Miller to a bunch of HOF goalies.