Miller: We'll have a better plan

I just talked to Ryan Miller (he's getting ready for his brother's wedding in East Lansing, Mich.) and he's understandably happy and relieved about his new deal. You can read some of Miller's comments and listen to Darcy Regier's press conference at our updated Web story here.

One thing Miller was adamant about was that he understands he has to do a better job of handling his workload and he's ready to do that next year.

Said Miller: "If they put me in the same amount of games [as] last year this time, I'd be better prepared. We all want to put a better plan in place and I've approached them about that. We want to be smart about things, not get caught doing 30-some games in a row. As a goaltender, it's tough to do that every night. The whole gameday is a process for me. It's not just about going and playing the game. There was preparation 76 times and that was a new experience for me."

Miller knows he's getting paid like an elite goaltender now (I'm still juggling figures but it looks like he's going to be No. 5 next year). He's going to have to play like it and Lindy Ruff is going to have to allow backup Patrick Lalime to give Miller some nights off.

Giving Miller $6.25 million a year isn't a break-the-bank contract, particularly when the Sabres decided they weren't going to pay Brian Campbell the wild sums he ended up getting and bungled the Briere-Drury summer. You've got to feel good about how this summer is going but the Sabres really had no choice. Miller is the face of the franchise (name another Sabre who would get a national commercial deal!). The way the market is going, it might look like a great contract if he's playing at an All-Star level in the final years of the deal.

The Sabres, and Ruff in particular, have to be smart with Miller. If there's any hope of playoff runs, they can't burn him all season long. It seems reasonable to think 65-68 games would be a good number for Miller.

---Mike Harrington

Comments

[Matthew Kimel]

As a Sharks fan it's hard to agree with Miller...Nabi plays daily...

[bob]

rock, you have it exactly right. But there is a chance to fix some of his more obvious goaltending problems (drops too soon and slides post to post on his knees, usually too far past the post and is thus out of position and on his knees so immobile). His interview comments seems to indicate he is aware of some of these probs so lets hope he gets them fixed. If Dennis and Enroth pan out ..... we're in a nice spot going forward

[lou]

maybe with the new money miller has, he could chauffeur marshawn lynch around buffalo, and make sure marshawn dont hit 'n' run durnk females, Also when is marshawn gonna remove his "grill" so that We can understand what he is saying.

[Sean]

LETS GO BUFFALO!!!!! Pominville is next.... Thanks Jan & BBQ for your valuable input. No, Miller isn't Hasek and the Sabres aren't the Red Wings. Who in their right mind thought they were?

[jan]

Miller's signed, now get Pominville signed !!!!

[BBQ]

I get it now. Miller was worth more than what Drury, Briere and Campbell were when this bunch of morons passed on their 5 mill long-term offers. They think that they can get to the Finals the same way they did in '99.
Miller is good, but he's no Hasek.

Call it whatever you want, this outfit HAD NO CHOICE but to sign him. They let him get away, and the waiting list for people to drop their seats would be a lot longer than the one for people waiting to get them.

Let's see how the games are played

[Henry]

feel good about the summer why Mike? The only difference is minus Khalinin & Campbell and adding Rivet while giving away a young prospect. How are we better? I'd love to know! Oh i forget Lindy is going to tweak the system to mimic Detroit! Problem is we don't have their talent!

[Rock]

The pragmatic fans out there have the right take. The price was a higher than he probobly is worth ( I think he is a very good 5 mil per goalie.) But without another option, the rate of rising salaries and yes, the PR perception with other high profile losses it was a good move.

I still believe he is to this point in his career just an above average goaltender - and the statistics which I have posted ad nauseum prove it. He frustrates the heck out of me because he consistently gives up a soft goal a game. (Those back breaker wristers from the top of the face-off circle!) Therefore his team MUST score at least two to win.

BUT... if you look at the way salaries keep going I believe there is a new model for the NHL. Identify the players who you believe will keep value, target them and sign them to the long term deal. Does this mean you have to keep them for the full term of the contract? NO! Get your use out the player and you can then move him at some point down the road - when he will be a bargain for another team who wants him for more assets. I think this should have been done with Campbell as well - go ahead and give him the fifth or sixth year that he wanted and who knows maybe you trade him after three?

The money being thrown at the aging veterans this offseason has convinced me that this is the way to go - that long term contracts for certain players are going to be a bargain half-way through term and the player can net you more in return by trade.