Ryan Miller should be team USA's starter

[boltsgirl41922]

I am not necessarily saying that Grahame should be the starter, but he is very quietly starting to heat up again.

4-1, 1.22 GAA, .954 save percentage in the last 5 games. (Currently has a 2 game SO streak, and can break the club SO record in his next start.)

If he stays hot going into the break, he should at least get a look when the team heads over seas. I think he has earned that.

i agree with you ! except i think Grahame should get the start.

 

[billsandsabres]

leaving miller off the USA team is 100% indefensible

it's above debate

 

[Chainshot]

You mean pointing out a goaltender who has had a marginal career up until two months ago (and confirmed when professional experts who picked team USA did not include him over another career backup in Grahame) when the team turned around with another goaltender in net is childish and belittling of Ryan Miller?

Is this the same Ryan Miller who gave up four goals on about eighteen shots and won 8-4 in his previous game?

This is not the NHL all-star game where spots are give based on three months or part of one year or the hot goaltender of the month. This is done on the complete body of work in a players career. DiPietro's 03-04 season is part of it along with his play in International Tournaments where he's done a solid job or performed outstanding in defeat, where Miller has no record at all besides seeing less games in 03-04 vs 02-03 which is why he was not selected.

Has Miller gone out and paid his dues and participated in the World Championships for his country or has he just played in Rochester for the AHL playoffs?
DiPietro has.



All due respect, you refer to my point as childish and call DiPietro, Ricky boy?

DiPietro has not been that inconsistent for that most part, the team in front of him has been. In fact the Islanders goals against are marginally better in NHL rankings than their rankings in shots against.

In point of fact, Miller HAS played twice for the US at the World Championships and appeared three times. In 2001, he was selected to the very same team that Dipietro was on though Esche was the clear starter and Miller saw no duty. Ironically, if Rick had stayed in school, they'd both have been sophomores that season, though Rick was coming off his first pro season. In 2002 in Sweden, after completing his junior year at MSU, he played in 4 of the Team USA games and put up far and away the best performance of any of the 'minders (1.76 GAA and .949 S% in 4 games). Waddell picked that team and was so high on him that he reportedly engauged in trade talks with Regier to land him. Darcy didn't budge. Then again in '03 in Finland, Miller went to represent his country and put up more minutes played and a decent but slightly off GAA of 2.49 and a save percentage of only .889. '04 he was not there due to professional obligations as the Amerks made it into the third round of the playoffs.

Miller deserved consideration and I can understand Waddell's decision, but there is plenty of history there both in terms of participation and Waddell's previous interest. He was chosen for the taxi squad and if one of the other members of the team can't go, I'm sure he'll be a viable option if they choose him to play. If not, then not. Personally, I think you sell Miller's previous accomplishments short, in regards to league awards, etc... and at the same time you're comments regarding Miller's development curve are awfully ironic considering The Rick went from playing 20 NHL games in 2000-2001 to none in the NHL the next to only 10 the year after. *shrug* It appears to be a bit of double standard.

 

[NYIsles1*]

I give up, Your right he hasn't been bad or inconsistant. You nitpick more than an old lady.

What you call nitpicking is what professionals call homework, the same kind of homework the professionals did when experts ranked DiPietro as a top prospect and Miller as someone selected in the fifth round, the same nitpicking that team USA did when they looked at the American goaltenders and decided who was going to represent the US in this years olympics based on the entire body of work in their careers.

I just tried to use a four game sample for my point that he can play well and can struggle. But according to your thinking he isn't at fault for anything. Are you just punch drunk from everybody attacking him that you try to defend everything said. You don't go blameless when you have a GAA 3.44 and save% .890. I watched the game tonight, He played well but should have had the third one. But I guess that was the defense's fault for letting Boyes shoot the puck.

I never claimed DiPietro was perfect or not at fault for anything and he has worn down and struggled at times, however even in the context of your four game example your proving you judgement does not go beyond goals scored vs shots against as your parameter for if a goaltender played well or poor and that's not how it works. I never thought a hockey discussion was considered an attack when folks disagree or see things differently and clearly your not in the majority yourself.

As for what you call tweaking me over the Boyes goal all your proving is your opinion of DiPietro is not very objective, he was outstanding and kept the Isles in the game early which is what is going to be needed in the Olympics from whoever starts.

 

[MLH]

What you call nitpicking is what professionals call homework, the same kind of homework the professionals did when experts ranked DiPietro as a top prospect and Miller as someone selected in the fifth round, the same nitpicking that team USA did when they looked at the American goaltenders and decided who was going to represent the US in this years olympics based on the entire body of work in their careers.

Well, apparently they failed both assignments.

 

[NYIsles1*]

Personally, I think you sell Miller's previous accomplishments short, in regards to league awards, etc... and at the same time you're comments regarding Miller's development curve are awfully ironic considering The Rick went from playing 20 NHL games in 2000-2001 to none in the NHL the next to only 10 the year after. *shrug* It appears to be a bit of double standard.

No double-standard nor am I trying to sell Miller short, I know he has been very good in Rochester.

Miller is over a year older than DiPietro, yet DiPietro took an NHL team to a playoff as it's starter and followed it up with a solid playoff (including a shutout) against the eventual champions and Khabibulin, who was outstanding. DiPietro also was very good or excellent in his appearances at the World Cup and the World Championships.

I'm curious how come Miller could not beat out Conklin for a spot either going into 2004 World Cup while Grahame took what seems to be his spot? Also how come Miller off a 41-17 season with a 9.22 svpct did not take Esche's spot for the World Championships or did Rochester's season extend beyond the nine games he played to where he was not invited or could not make it in time?

DiPietro got a few games in the second half of a lost season in 2000-01 because the Isles really had no place for him to play which is somewhat different circumstance than Miller who had an AHL team for him to play for as soon as he was done at Michigan State. Isles did not have an AHL affilate or a place to play prospects he started in the IHL with the Chicago Wolves, went to the WJC, the the Isles, then the World Championships. In 2001-02 the Isles started their own AHL team in Bridgeport and he took them to a final.

 

[Briere03]

Miller is over a year older than DiPietro, yet DiPietro took an NHL team to a playoff as it's starter and followed it up with a solid playoff (including a shutout) against the eventual champions and Khabibulin, who was outstanding. DiPietro also was very good or excellent in his appearances at the World Cup and the World Championships.

Miller has not yet had a chance to bring his team into the playoffs, because of a strong goaltending system in Buffalo. He will get the oppurtunity this year.

 

[DaMick]

Its obvious that Grahame wont get to play, but that's the mistake.

you cant look at miller's stats and automatically see he deserves to be there.

if you havent noticed not many rookies were selected. Canada, who obviously knows how to put together a team didnt select any rookies, and USA is doing the same thing, rookies need more time to mature before you can force so much responsibility on them.

Miller, unless i am very much mistaken is a rookie, and others are right, he had an injury.

The mistake this team will make is putting DiPietro in net. Johnny Grahame is far better. And look at the stats, he is by far the best of the American goaltenders.

http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/stats

all you nay sayers arent giving Johnny Grahame the credit he deserves.

Miller by your logic doesnt deserve to be there based on stats but Grahame deserves to be the starter based on stats?

yeah ok

Stats dont mean ****

 

[joshjull]

NYisles1 are you Ricky's dad? By the way how do Ricky's high school stats stack up against Miller's. Make sure those stats are confirmed by professional experts.

 

[DaMick]

Miller has not yet had a chance to bring his team into the playoffs, because of a strong goaltending system in Buffalo. He will get the oppurtunity this year.

Very True...it will be interesting to see how Miller plays in the playoffs

though i do agree with alot of you Buffalo posters ...he does seem to be the future in Buffalo

im wondering what will happen with Biron & Noro?


put DiPietro & Miller in a cage & let em duke it out..lol

 

[joshjull]

Miller by your logic doesnt deserve to be there based on stats but Grahame deserves to be the starter based on stats?

yeah ok

Stats dont mean ****

This debate is getting loopy. Dipietro and Miller are the two top US goalie prospects. Esche had a good world cup and Grahame is having a great year. Right now Miller and Grahame are playing the best of the four. Dipietro can and has stolen games. He is struggling a bit this year but Waddell is hoping with a better team he will play well.
Grahame was a relative unknown until this year but has played well. The venom that is developing in this debate is silly. Miller won't start because he wasn't named to the original team. That could change, who knows. Dipietro will get the start and I hope all USA hockey fans will be rooting for him.

 

[DaMick]

This debate is getting loopy.Dipietro will get the start and I hope all USA hockey fans will be rooting for him.

I totally agree


as you saw my posts..i say let miller join the team
and im a Isles fan


Regardless of who starts [Dipietro Vs Esche Vs Grahame VS Miller]


Ill be cheering for whomever starts for Team USA

as long as they are the best choice to win it all

 

[Chainshot]

No double-standard nor am I trying to sell Miller short, I know he has been very good in Rochester.

Miller is over a year older than DiPietro, yet DiPietro took an NHL team to a playoff as it's starter and followed it up with a solid playoff (including a shutout) against the eventual champions and Khabibulin, who was outstanding. DiPietro also was very good or excellent in his appearances at the World Cup and the World Championships.

I'm curious how come Miller could not beat out Conklin for a spot either going into 2004 World Cup while Grahame took what seems to be his spot? Also how come Miller off a 41-17 season with a 9.22 svpct did not take Esche's spot for the World Championships or did Rochester's season extend beyond the nine games he played to where he was not invited or could not make it in time?

DiPietro got a few games in the second half of a lost season in 2000-01 because the Isles really had no place for him to play which is somewhat different circumstance than Miller who had an AHL team for him to play for as soon as he was done at Michigan State. Isles did not have an AHL affilate or a place to play prospects he started in the IHL with the Chicago Wolves, went to the WJC, the the Isles, then the World Championships. In 2001-02 the Isles started their own AHL team in Bridgeport and he took them to a final.

Like I said, he was well into the third round of the AHL playoffs in '04. With their season not ending until the 10th of April and the tournie that year starting on the 24th, hell, the Amerks gruelling first round win over the Crunch in 7 games didn't finish up until the 28th. Their final loss wasn't until the 28th of May to the Admirals... seven weeks after the completion of the WC tournament.