More Miller chatter

We'll have plenty more on Ryan Miller's signing in Saturday's paper but here's a sampling of some comments made today by the key principals:

Miller

On needing a way to find more rest: "As a goaltender, it's tough to [play] every night and get charged up. The whole gameday is a process for me. It's not just about going and playing the game. Going through that preparation 76 times was a new experience for me."

"We had two short summers, a lot of games and a lot of hype. It turned out that got us off on the wrong foot last year. We're going to have more time to prepare this time."

On having a more qualified backup in Patrick Lalime: "I'm excited about that. I've heard he's a great person.. I'm always excited to meet people like that in hockey and just another aspect of the team that can help us."

GM Darcy Regier

On getting a deal done in less than three weeks: "It's very nice. Everyone on the organization side thought it was very important and obviously Ryan thought it was important as well. ... It was really the focus from ownership. Tom [Golisano] talked about it. Larry [Quinn] talked about it. I think it's a huge commitment on the part of Tom in particular. Ultimately these decisions, because of the financial magnitude, you have to give a lot of credit to the ownership."

On the size of the deal being one of the biggest for a goalie: "In a lot of cases, it's not always about statistics, it's about supply and demand in the marketplace. It came down to this is a goaltender we believe in, this is a goaltender who's only going to get better and this is a goaltender who ultimately we think we can win a championship with. ... The marketplace is the marketplace. you have to acknowledge it, respect it and make your decisions inside of it."

On Miller's desire to not have his contract situation linger to the trade deadline, a la Brian Campbell: "He talked to us in terms of what he didn't want to do. He didn't want to become a rental player or a short-term player or go to a team on a one-year basis to try to win a
championship. He wants to do that here."

Agent Mike Liut

On Miller's willingness to get a deal done: "The core of the team are guys he's gone up with. There were just lots of reason to stay. It was not hard to accomplish. He wasn't looking to make any statements by going for the biggest deal. This is where he wanted to be. When a player feels that way, usually that means you know it would get it done."

On Miller being able to avoid the in-season distraction: "They didn't want it to linger and frankly I agree with that. With a player of Ryan's stature, it shouldn't linger. He should not be in that spot. The natural tendency is for people to check out at some point because they know deep down there's not going to be a next year in a place. Once they get out on the ice, guys can put that aside some of the time ... Part of you says you're playing for the cause but you know it's going to end and you don't know where it's going. He'll be able to stay away from all that."

On Miller handling a huge workload: Once you get over 65 [games], you have to be careful because you can get into a diminishing return situation. Even with better travel now with charters, the mental aspect of the game is something you have to nurture during the year. You can't get so physically and mentally exhausted that the game is becoming perfunctory again with no emotion anymore.

"It's managing your time, practicing for less time. You just can't go to the whip every day for 187 days and it's not possible. But he really likes to be prepared. Drilling is important and he's very analytical about it. Missing practice is not the answer for him either. They're just going to have to work together to find a common balance."

---Mike Harrington

Comments

[Matthew Kimel]

Thanks for the quotes!

[tom]

Stop bashing the sabres office and let them do their jobs. you all would've complained had they NOT signed Miller, and now youre complaining when they do sign him! last year everyone couldve played better. this year is going to be a better year. kudos to darcy for not over spending on FA's, securing 1,2,3 round picks for brian "i don't play defense look at my spin-o-rama campbell" sucked we lost drury and briere, but both are over paid, and so is campbell.

[Jeff]

Too bad Miller is only good at playing goalie. He's way too one-dimensional. He should really take up bowling, electrical work, or any other skill.

I can't beleive we signed such a one-dimensional player!

[Jeff]

Haha, Chad, great job with the "one-dimensional goalie" comment. What, do you want Miller to score more next year? Put in an empty netter or two like Ron Hextall?

One-Dimensional Goalie. You think you have heard all of the absurd comments, and then someone blows them all away...

[John]

It's a good signing, but you can't play the backup 8 games per year and expect good results. Thibault did not get a fair shot. The only way he can get better is BY PLAYING IN GAMES.

Laline has to make 20 starts...period. If he doesn't, it will be Ruff's fault.

Look at the Red Wings. Hasek and Osgood played roughly 41 games apeice and "how did that work out?" And, Babcock switched goalies in the playoffs and still won the Cup.

Brodeur has been breaking down in the playoffs---he was awful versus the Devils last year; and Luongo struggled at the end of last year when the Canucks failed to make the playoffs.

Let the backup play. Change your game plan to accommodate him, but let him play 20 games, okay even 15. That will only help Miller in the end.

[Buffalo Bill]

The number of games Miller plays will be dependent on how competent a backup Patrick Lalime will be. Any clear header fan who attempted to honestly dissect last year will come up with the fact that Miller played nearly every game because Lindy Ruff simply had no confidence in Jose Thibault. Hopefully Lalime will be able to raise the level of his game to keep Miller on the bench for 15-20 games. If he can't Miller will play 70+ games again. The other factor is the the defense has to be better around him. The addition of Craig Rivet and a healthier pair of Tallider and Lydman should help. The addition of another veteran defenseman would also be a bonus although the brain trust may have confidence in giving Sekera and Weber a chance to play a full season. If the defense can reduce the higher than normal increase in turnovers in their own end and learn how to lock down third period leads, this team is back in the playoffs without question. It is still a solid core of very talented hockey players. Miller does not need to be Dominic Hasek for this tem to win. Everybody else just needs to do their jobs in front of him.

[Puckface]

This signing has the potential to shut all of you doomsayers up, and I hope it does! While not my favorite goalie, Miller has incredible hand speed, and his Hobey Baker proves he has the stuff to excel. A lot of ifs, but if he and Lalime play to their potentials, and, in the event Afinegiveaway stays, he is in the final year of his contract, and should be of a mindset to prove his worth. The man can be nothing short of phenomenal, and this years, to me, has great possibilities. If I were management, I would dump Numminen, Conelly(sp), and the tough gut who always gets his butt kicked (Peters), and go after old man Gratton. My glass is at least half full this year. call me crazy, but I see the sleeper of the East on the horizon.

[Chad]

"How can the Sabres explain signing a one-dimensional goalie to an extension, but not signing briere & drury?"

How is a goalie one-dimensional? I can honestly say, I've never heard of a goaltender being one-dimensional. What is his one-dimension? Winning a lot of games? Is he not good enough offensively?

What an awkward statement.

BTW, since you're advocating an avoidance of one-dimensional players, surely you are pleased with the fact that Buffalo didn't re-sign Mr. Minus 22 (Briere) since he views defense as a curse word, right? You're also probably happy that they got rid of Brian "Coach, Please Let Me Play Left Wing" Campbell. He was a "great" defensive player.

[Mark]

Looks like they locked Larry Quinn in his office to play Scotty Bowman in a fantasy league instead of trying to outthink the hockey staff. Seem like they are locking up the right people, would still like to see a veteran leader type added to the mix. Expecting a goalie to play 76 games is simply unrealistic.

[Scott]

Lou, last time I checked, Briere and Drury choke along with Miller. So stop holding them on a different pedestal. Mckee, Campbell and Briere were not worth the money they got. It's time to let go and move on. Keep sign the young core. Great signing with Miller. Now it's time to sign Pomer!

[lou]

so miller, u gonna choke in the playoffs again, or how about making it next season? spend less time on your "rock band" and more time at the rink.
How can the Sabres explain signing a one-dimensional goalie to an extension, but not signing briere & drury? Also why are the slug uniforms still here? can larry quinn be fired ASAP.

WGR is garbage