Look at both guys numbers the last 3 years. Vokoun 2 years ago with FLA 2.55 GAA and .922 sv%, Miller 2.59 and .916. Last year Vokoun in Washington 2.51 and .917, Miller 2.54 and .916. This year 2.45 and .919, miller 2.81 and .915. Vokoun did better on on 3 different teams none of which had exceptional D. I fail to see how Miller is a clear upgrade.
- schiefer466

Buffalo's D has been a disaster for the past 3 years, even worse than Pittsburgh's during this series. They've lacked a shut-down guy, and Myers has been a trainwreck for at least half of a season since his rookie year.

I think they will. They have the ability to flip the switch when they really need to. Detroit was a wake-up call, and a great test, and they passed with flying colors. Yes, there have been times during the Kings series that they struggled a little bit, but they're the defending championship team. They're going to throw punches. It's what championship teams do. Chicago is more than fine.
- buffalofan19

Go B's!!!

(hides)

Go B's!!!

(hides)
- Powerslave

I find it ironic how many people who call for the officiating to go back to the 2006 levels are cheering for the Bruins. That team is tailor made for the clutch and grab era, and would find themselves shorthanded at least 40% of the time in 2006.

I find it ironic how many people who call for the officiating to go back to the 2006 levels are cheering for the Bruins. That team is tailor made for the clutch and grab era, and would find themselves shorthanded at least 40% of the time in 2006.
- buffalofan19

Absolutely correct.
Also, Chara would look different, as would Lucic and a few others.
Skating was much more important in 2006 then it is now.
Just look at all the teams drafting size again over skill.

I much prefer the game to be at a faster pace like it used to be.
I get severely bored watching endless dump & chase and cycling hockey.

Gee that's so entertaining.

I'll add that there is a clear reason guys like Tallinder looked so good and then became a shell of themselves, and it wasn't because they suddenly fell off the face of the hockey earth when it came to skill.

Buffalo's D has been a disaster for the past 3 years, even worse than Pittsburgh's during this series. They've lacked a shut-down guy, and Myers has been a trainwreck for at least half of a season since his rookie year.
- buffalofan19

What's your point? Vokoun played behind florida's defense before Campbell and Jovo, who both also suck, and then went to Washington and pittsburgh. None of those 3 teams have suffocating defenses. Vokoun has been on 3 teams in 3 years and still put up better numbers each year, despite never having a good d corps in front of him

Look at both guys numbers the last 3 years. Vokoun 2 years ago with FLA 2.55 GAA and .922 sv%, Miller 2.59 and .916. Last year Vokoun in Washington 2.51 and .917, Miller 2.54 and .916. This year 2.45 and .919, miller 2.81 and .915. Vokoun did better on on 3 different teams none of which had exceptional D. I fail to see how Miller is a clear upgrade.
- schiefer466

In it's simplest terms, you put Vokoun in the net to make the save he was supposed to make where Fleury was not.

You put Miller in the net to make the big save at the important time when you really need it.

Big difference.

What's your point? Vokoun played behind florida's defense before Campbell and Jovo, who both also suck, and then went to Washington and pittsburgh. None of those 3 teams have suffocating defenses. Vokoun has been on 3 teams in 3 years and still put up better numbers each year, despite never having a good d corps in front of him
- schiefer466

Buffalo's D was potentially the worst in the league this past year, and it wasn't much better the prior year.
That, I believe, is his point.

Leafs fans probably feel like poop after last night's game

Absolutely correct.
Also, Chara would look different, as would Lucic and a few others.
Skating was much more important in 2006 then it is now.
Just look at all the teams drafting size again over skill.

I much prefer the game to be at a faster pace like it used to be.
I get severely bored watching endless dump & chase and cycling hockey.

Gee that's so entertaining.
- kingcong39

There has to be a happy medium somewhere. I know it sounds a little intellectually dishonest to say this, seeing as how Buffalo greatly benefited from it, but I found 2006 to be a little ridiculous. When you have games with people in the box for more minutes of play than even strength, it's stupid. That's why the NHL "reverted" back. The problem is that it's become extreme (again) in the other direction.

Look at both guys numbers the last 3 years. Vokoun 2 years ago with FLA 2.55 GAA and .922 sv%, Miller 2.59 and .916. Last year Vokoun in Washington 2.51 and .917, Miller 2.54 and .916. This year 2.45 and .919, miller 2.81 and .915. Vokoun did better on on 3 different teams none of which had exceptional D. I fail to see how Miller is a clear upgrade.
- schiefer466

I guess we just differ in our opinions and I think you would have a hard time convincing anyone to trade Miller straight up for Voukon.

In it's simplest terms, you put Vokoun in the net to make the save he was supposed to make where Fleury was not.

You put Miller in the net to make the big save at the important time when you really need it.

Big difference.
- kingcong39

Is there? Again. Look at the numbers. Has miller been making the big save the last few years? Doesn't seem like it. And he's just as prone as fleury to give up a momentum killing softie as fleury. Once vokoun went in goaltending ceased to be an issue. Quality, responsible, physical defenseman was the issue. And then a total lack of finish.

What's your point? Vokoun played behind florida's defense before Campbell and Jovo, who both also suck, and then went to Washington and pittsburgh. None of those 3 teams have suffocating defenses. Vokoun has been on 3 teams in 3 years and still put up better numbers each year, despite never having a good d corps in front of him
- schiefer466

The point is that if you are going to give Vokoun the "terrible defense" excuse, you better give it to Miller as well, because the defense in front of him has been every bit as bad, in fact, most likely worse, than any defense corps Vokoun has faced in the past 3 years. Whether or not it was on different teams is irrelevant.

You may not like Chara, Boychuk, McQuaid, Sedenburg, Krug and the rest of the Bruins D, but you have to respect their tenacity and their desire to destroy all scoring chances that happen to develop on their end of the rink. Boston's strategy was to play as a cohesive unit-of-five defense.
- garth

All true. But no mention of Rask?

I guess we just differ in our opinions and I think you would have a hard time convincing anyone to trade Miller straight up for Voukon.
- BigStew

You're right. Both have similar numbers. Both have 1 year left. One costs 2 million. The other costs 6. Sabres fans are too stuck in 2010. As is the media. The numbers just don't back up the argument Miller is still elite.

All true. But no mention of Rask?
- Coburns_Nose

Flip the goaltenders (Vokoun on Boston and Raask on the Penguins) and you most likely get the exact same result. That's how well Boston's defense played this series.

You're right. Both have similar numbers. Both have 1 year left. One costs 2 million. The other costs 6. Sabres fans are too stuck in 2010. As is the media. The numbers just don't back up the argument Miller is still elite.
- schiefer466

I didn't say he was elite but I think you would find many hockey people who do, I said he is better than Voukon and IMO there isn't one GM in the league who would trade Miller for Voukon.

You're right. Both have similar numbers. Both have 1 year left. One costs 2 million. The other costs 6. Sabres fans are too stuck in 2010. As is the media. The numbers just don't back up the argument Miller is still elite.
- schiefer466

The other thing is, with the exception of Florida, Vokoun played on teams that were much better than the Sabres at puck possession. Vokoun also faced a lot less in front of him than Miller has in the past 3 years.

The point is that if you are going to give Vokoun the "terrible defense" excuse, you better give it to Miller as well, because the defense in front of him has been every bit as bad, in fact, most likely worse, than any defense corps Vokoun has faced in the past 3 years. Whether or not it was on different teams is irrelevant.
- buffalofan19

Ill give the excuse to both. Therefore the point is moot. And at that point the numbers are the same, slight edge to vokoun. So I still fail to see how Miller is a significant upgrade. And look at Florida and washingtons d those years. No better than buffalo. And the different teams is relevant. Shows that no matter where he goes, who is in front of him you're getting roughly 2.55 gaa and a .915-.920 sv%. Which is more than sufficient.

And I'll concede miller does make the huge save where vokoun doesn't. But miller also gives up the deflating softie that vokoun doesn't.

Malkin is not going to the KHL.

Pitt will lock him up long-term.
- Powerslave

Exactly. Shero is on record as saying this is his number 1 priority. Letang and MAF are probably on their way out however....

You're right. Both have similar numbers. Both have 1 year left. One costs 2 million. The other costs 6. Sabres fans are too stuck in 2010. As is the media. The numbers just don't back up the argument Miller is still elite.
- schiefer466

Youre looking the basic goaltending numbers to make a comparison where that doesnt even begin to tell the whole story. Gotta take into consideration puck possession, shots against per game, time spent on special teams, special teams performance, blocks, etc

Ive already done all this research, and the numbers actually show that Miller is a top 5 goalie in the game.

The other thing is, with the exception of Florida, Vokoun played on teams that were much better than the Sabres at puck possession. Vokoun also faced a lot less in front of him than Miller has in the past 3 years.
- buffalofan19

Splitting hairs. Washington isn't exactly Detroit when it comes to possession. Tons off the rush and a reliance on the PP. Far from methodical and controlling. Either way neither guy has had much help. And both guys are nearly identical statistically. So again fail to see why anyone thinks miller is an upgrade. The pens are now tryi g to get rid of a goalie who is a streay head case. No need to replace him with one of the same. When it comes down to it the decision is vokoun plus a 4 million defenseman or just miller. And I'll take vokoun and the D man.

Youre looking the basic goaltending numbers to make a comparison where that doesnt even begin to tell the whole story. Gotta take into consideration puck possession, shots against per game, time spent on special teams, special teams performance, blocks, etc

Ive already done all this research, and the numbers actually show that Miller is a top 5 goalie in the game.
- theblueandgold

How much better than Vokoun is he over the last 3 years? And is that enough to warrant a price 3 times higher?

Stop.


Boston got Pittsburgh to play Boston's game. Had nothing to do with shutting any player on Pittsburgh down. Had Pittsburgh played Pittsburgh's game and not try be the tough guy, the series would still be going on. Boston gets teams to play down to their level.

If you run Chara every chance you get, Boston folds like an accordion. As Chara goes, Boston goes. Leave the rest of them alone.
- dadeadhead

From last blog, your giving Chara and Seidenberg 0 credit. They had no room in the Boston zone. Barely any scoring chances and only scored 2 goals in 4 games. Chara did the same thing to the Nash line in the series before