Ryan Miller's New Goalie Mask

If you haven't seen it yet, sweet mask.

Exclusive first-look at the new #Canucks mask of @RyanMiller3039 #fancy #IsItOctoberYet pic.twitter.com/5MxmYKyOLg
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) September 3, 2014

Ryan Miller's new goalie mask

Here’s a look at @RyanMiller3039’s new mask. See more photos at @BishopDesigns Facebook page: http://t.co/UhiXcOTr7n pic.twitter.com/smBr9tdCFP
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 20, 2014

Sweet new mask that St. Louis Blues goalie Ryan Miller is sporting.

UPDATE: Steve Ott and Ryan Miller being traded to St Louis...

Ryan Miller in his first #Sabres preseason game (9-21-02) still wearing his Michigan State mask. The silly season is about to begin.
pic.twitter.com/HUUEtg3sqp
— Bill Wippert (@BWipp) February 28, 2014

One of my favorite college hockey goaltenders of all time, former Michigan State Spartan Ryan Miller. The All-American was fun to watch during the NCAA playoffs. According to the St. Louis Blues twitter feed, Miller has been traded to the St. Louis Blues along with teammate, forward Steve Ott. In my opinion, the Blues are getting a very good All-World goalie for the playoff stretch. It's kind of weird to see the Buffalo Sabres decline this far.

The Sabres get forward Chris Stewart, goalie Jaroslav Halak, forward William Carrier, 1st round pick (2015) and a 3rd round pick (2016) - See more at: http://thehockeywriters.com/thw-trade-tracker-halak-for-miller/#sthash.93JJa3zE.dpuf. In my opinion, the Sabres got a really good deal.

The "Silly Season" is upon us.

BREAKING: The Blues have acquired Miller & Ott from Buffalo for Halak, Stewart, Carrier & two picks. INFO >>> http://t.co/NGLbm5mwxT
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) March 1, 2014

Steve Ott was kicking soccer ball with teammates in Sabres' arena when coach Ted Nolan called him to back room to tell him he was scratched.
— John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) February 28, 2014

I'm told there is another goaltender dressing downstairs....Amerks are on road in the Midwest...hmmmm.. #Sabres
— Mike Harrington (@BNHarrington) February 28, 2014

Before every start, Ryan Miller comes to Sabres' bench to lean on his stick and think about the game. He has not shown up. Not playing?
— John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) February 28, 2014

Source says expect the Sabres to make official trade announcement tonight, likely soon.
— John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) February 28, 2014

Add Your Caption: What is Ryan Miller doing?

Buffalo's trainer kind of looks like Turk from 'Scrubs' pic.twitter.com/6NfroYAdvl — Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) February 27, 2014

What is Ryan Miller doing? Add your caption.

NHL Trade Deadline - Where's Ryan Miller going?

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller would be a good rental goalie for the Stanley Cup Stretch run. You have to wonder where he's going? The NHL trade deadline in on March 5, 2014.

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Ryan Miller was a no-show at Buffalo Sabres practice Monday because the star goalie was still travelling from the Sochi Games.

Though Miller was scheduled to return later in the day and start Tuesday, when Buffalo hosts Carolina, his absence could be something the Sabres will have to get accustomed to with the NHL trade deadline approaching on March 5.

A person familiar with discussions told The Associated Press that general manager Tim Murray continues to pursue offers for Miller with the intention of trading him by next week.

"Tim is testing the waters as hard as he can," the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because Murray declined to speak to reporters Monday.

Sabres star Thomas Vanek hasn’t requested a trade

Good read MT @BillHoppeNHL Thomas Vanek: http://t.co/Z3yLE8NDx0 "I’m telling you right now, that’s not true. I’ve never asked for a trade"
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 29, 2013

If I am reading this right, it would appear, at least from my vantage point, that Thomas Vanek might not be all that happy about the Sabres being in a rebuilding year. Of course, a player like Vanek doesn't have to worry too much, he's going to be in demand and he's going to command at least 7-7.5 million. I also think that he will have a few offers to look over like Zach Parise did.

Bill Hoppe, Olean Times Herald – Thomas Vanek spoke firmly. No, the high-scoring winger said, he hasn’t asked to be traded from the Buffalo Sabres. The widespread belief he wants out of town doesn’t bother him. But it’s simply not true.

“The media and people, they can make up their own assumptions as long as I know where I’m at and stuff and my family’s at. That’s fine,” Vanek said following an off-ice workout Wednesday morning. “At the end of the day, people will find out, either from me or the Sabres, just like I’m telling you right now, that’s not true. I’ve never asked for a trade, so I’m not surprised that I’m still here.

”Nonetheless, the Sabres have said Vanek and starting goalie Ryan Miller, the two franchise cornerstones whose contracts expire after the upcoming season, could be dealt.

After the Sabres dished several high-profile veterans late last season and began looking to the future, Vanek was the most outspoken, voicing some disappointment and saying he didn’t want to partake in a two- or three-year rebuild. But the 29-year-old also said he would wait and see before making another commitment to the Sabres, something that he repeated on Wednesday.

Related articles

• Vanek Keeping Options Open Entering Camp (wkbw.com)
• Saturday Pontifications: The Thomas Vanek File (hockeywilderness.com)
• Vanek: 'I didn't ask to be traded' (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)

What would it take for the Wild to get Vanek?

@gilesferrell #cantbeserious pic.twitter.com/njUiXrbVYg
— Graeme Erik Young (@Guashoe) July 10, 2013

Someone I follow on twitter posted this last night, I think this trade would prove to be too costly for the Minnesota Wild. I don't think the Wild would give up an number one pick and two first round  draft choices/prospects to get Thomas Vanek, who will become a UFA soon.

(Video) John Scott boards Stephen Gionta

Mr. Anger management Buffalo forward/defenseman John Scott drives a much smaller Stephen Gionta into the boards with what can only be seen as a knuckleheaded penalty, and of course all Gionta can do is laugh about it.

Sure, why not!

I guess it’s funny and no one got hurt, but it’s was a dangerous play by the Sabers goon John Scott. In my opinion, Scott is nothing more than a cement head, but also an insurance policy, to use only in case of an emergency.

Looking at the stats sheet, you will see that Scott adds little in the way of offense and rarely takes a regular shift on the ice, unless the Sabres are ahead or need Scott's toughness. In 26 games for the Sabres Scott has an unimpressive line of (0g-0a—0pts) 52 minutes in penalties and is averaging 4.25 minutes of ice time. According to hockeyfight.com, Scott has also been in 6 fights and has won them all, but has had a tough time finding anyone to dance with as of late.

Scott became necessary for the Buffalo Sabres when Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic ran over the Sabres goalie Ryan Miller last year and the Buffalo Sabres did nothing in response. After the non-response to Lucic running over Ryan Miller, the Sabers were seen as being a weak and gutless team by the rest of the NHL.

Who is the best American hockey player?

Chime in if you would like. There have been a lot of great American hockey players that have played in the NHL.

First off, this is a very complex question and also worthy of discussion - Dave Starman is right, you could spend a lot of time discussing this subject. So who is the best "American" hockey player? The first question I would have to ask what position are we talking about? You could break it down by postion - you have forwards, defenseman and goalies.

Another question is what time period are we talking about? You have the present time and the how far do we go back? Do we go on pure statistics?

The game of hockey has evolved due to technology and hockey isn't like it was back in the 1960's and 1970's.

Right now in my opinion, I think that Zach Parise is one of the best American forwards in the game of hockey there are other players you could include in that conversation. Pure statistics - the all-time top scoring American forward is Mike Modano with (561g-813a—1374pts).

This past season, Phil Kessel was the top American born hockey players for the 2011-12 season with (37g-45a—82 pts) and Zach Parise was second with (31g-38a—69pts).

In goal I would have to say that Tim Thomas, Johnathan Quick and Ryan Miller are pretty good but so were John Vanbiesbrouck and Tom Barrasso.

Defensively, Phil Housley is the top scoring American born defenseman all time with (338g- 894—1232).

Related articles

• Apparently, Popeye Jones's Son Is One Hell Of A Hockey Player [Hockey]
• Leave hockey alone

Drew Stafford's goalie not happy with the Gaustad trade

I couldn't resist... This story caught my eye. This story involves the teammate of Former Fighting Sioux forward Drew Stafford; apparently his all-world goalie Ryan Miller isn't happy with the team trading away Paul Gaustad. I have also noticed this season that Ryan Miller has become a bit of a complainer. Hockey is a business and sometimes teams trade players to get rid of salary or to better their teams.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Ryan Miller and Paul Gaustad are the closest of friends. They've been roomates. They've traveled through Europe together. They were teammates for a decade -- a run that ended Monday when the Sabres sent Gaustad to Nashville.

Miller is not happy with the transaction.

"It was a pretty tough day," Miller said today after practice in Anaheim Ice. "I’m not going to lie. I’m not real happy about the way it all turned out. But that’s the business of hockey.
"Like I’ve said, we don’t make those decisions. That’s more proof because if I had any more influence Paul would still be here. I appreciate the way he plays. He’s been one of my best friends for a long time there. Obviously, that’s going to continue, but it was nice to have him as a teammate and have those other intangibles."

Related articles

• GARTH: Miller Not Happy About Gaustad Trade (hockeybuzz.com)
• Hab's winning again... (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Paul Gaustad Gets Worked by Milan Lucic in Revenge Fight (Video) (backyardsportsblog.com)

Tootoo suspended two game by the NHL.

I had a feeling that Jordin Tootoo would be suspended by the NHL for his hit on the Sabres goalie Ryan Miller. I believe that the National Hockey League had to make an example out of Jordin Tootoo. This also gave Brendan Shanahan and the NHL Department of Player Safety a way to save face as well for failing suspending Milan Lucic for running over Ryan Miller in a game earlier this season. Incidentally, this was also the first game back for Ryan Miller after being injured on the hit by Milan Lucic.

Can you imagine the outcry from the Buffalo Sabres camp if Predators forward Jordin Tootoo had not been suspended by the NHL? The league had to suspend Tootoo or they would be giving off the impression that goalies in the NHL are fair game and that a player can run over a goalie if they feel compelled to do so.

NEW YORK -- Nashville Predators forward Jordin Tootoo has been suspended, without pay, for two games for charging Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller during NHL Game #379 Saturday night, Dec. 3, in Nashville, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.


Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Tootoo will forfeit $13,513.52. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.


The incident occurred at 15:54 of the second period. Tootoo was assessed a major penalty for charging and game misconduct on the play.


Tootoo will miss games tonight vs. Phoenix and Dec. 8 at Columbus. He will be eligible to return Dec. 10 vs. Anaheim.

Jordin Tootoo runs over Ryan Miller.

First off I have no idea what Jordin Tootoo is trying to do in this instance, compare and contrast this with the Lucic incident, Miller is in the blue paint and Lucic ran into Miller going for a puck. In Tootoo's case he simply left his feet and ran over Miller, you can not just run over the the goalie like Tootoo did. I think Jordin Tootoo is going to be getting a suspension from the NHL for this move.

I guess since no one from the Sabres initially responded to Milan Lucic running over Ryan Miller I guess other players around the league think that it's O.K. to run over Ryan Miller and other goalies around the NHL over. This time the Buffalo Sabres responded the correct way to Tootoo's knuckle headed move.

Related articles

• Tootoo runs Miller in return from concussion (thestar.com)
• A Wild Melee Broke Out Last Night When An NHL Player Absolutely Obliterated A Goalie (businessinsider.com)
• Adam Has Goal, Assist as Sabres Top Predators 3-2 (nytimes.com)
• Adam picks up Sabres in Miller's 1st game back (sports.espn.go.com)

Milan Lucic works Paul Gaustad

Someone on the Buffalo Sabres roster had to challenge Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic for his hit on Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, enter Sabres forward Paul Gaustad who was the designated punching bag for the Sabres as Lucic worked the smaller Gaustad pretty good in my opinion.

So how long are the Sabres going to whine about the Lucic hit.

We should have called the Lucic hit on Miller shot heard round the world. Every since Milan Lucic ran into or over Ryan Miller ("potato potato" right) the hockey pundits are gnashing their teeth over what should've happened to Milan Lucic.   

Now you can expect the next player that has a major collision with a goalie to get the book thrown at them. While I am not suggesting that we run goalies; collisions between players and goalies are going to happen, one might say that it goes with the territory, being a goalie is hazardous duty. I might even call it collateral damage. 

If a goaltenders comes that far out of their crease to play a puck, their stepping into the kitchen, to borrow a football term. I think Miller is in a way part culpable for his injury. Does it make things right, not at all, there is going to be some hurt feelings, you can count on it. I think the rematch of this game is going to be a must see and there will be a lot of DVR set just in case something happens and there will, because the "hockey code" demands it.

Dan Rosen - NHL.com --- Buffalo GM Darcy Regier suggested that a majority of the general managers have told him that Lucic should have been suspended.

"Well, based on our conversations in the room, I personally believe it would be," Regier said. "It is not just my feeling, it is the feelings of my counterparts."

Shero suggested that at the very least a major penalty could have been called on Lucic.

Rule 42.3 on charging allows for a major penalty to be called at the discretion of the official "based on the degree of violence of the check." There is a similar stipulation associated with Rule 69.2 on interference with a goalkeeper.

Shanahan confirmed to NHL.com that he did have a discussion with the League's Director of Officiating, Terry Gregson. The conclusion was that a major penalty may have been an appropriate call in that case, but again it is up to the discretion of the on-ice officials.

Right on cue you could have predicted the response. Post decision from Shanahan, all of the arm chair disciplinarians wanted blood and when they got none they went off. Much to their dismay, NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan failed to give a suspension or even a fine to Milan Lucic. They felt like they had been cheated, they wanted their pound of flesh. Almost on cue, you could hear the howling from Montreal, Buffalo and points elsewhere. The Big Bad Bruins had beaten the wrap again.

Then the tin foil hats came out and suggested as long as Greg Campbell is a member of the Boston Bruins nothing is going to happen to any of the Bruins players. They claim its because Colin Campbell is part of the front office stat. I am not lying, I saw something along those line from a beat writer of a major metro newspaper say that. 

Today we see Ryan Miller still rehashing the non-punishment with the media. My question is, how long are the Sabres and Ryan Miller going to complain about this. They would be better off to challenge Lucic to a fight and be done with it. Now they have this hanging over their head. Think about this, with one collision the Lucic and the Boston Bruins are in the Sabres heads. 

Tuesday Links...

Image via Wikipedia

Fargo Force beat writer Ryan S. Clarke has a great feature on Devils Lake resident and Fighting Sioux recruit Keaton Thompson. [Slightly Chilled]

This kid might be good at this hockey thing. The 16 year-old defenseman was part of the U.S. U-17 Team, which won its third straight Four Nations title over the weekend scoring two goals (three if you include an exhibition game) during the tournament.

Scoring goals in an international tournament is just adding to what’s been a good year for the Devils Lake, N.D. native.

“It’s really good,” said Thompson a few weeks before the tournament. “Everything is going good. Hockey is doing good. Every thing is going really good. Its kind of rainy out here so I’d say that’s the only bad thing.”

The NHL Hockey GM’s are going to discuss the 1-3-1 defense. Personally, I don’t know what they are going to discuss? Playing the trap is perfectly legal in the NHL and in all levels of hockey, “all” teams play it from time to time. [NHL.COM]

Vancover Canucks hack Alex Burrows isn't happy that the NHL didn't suspend Bruins forward Milan Lucic for his hit on Ryan Miller. My first question is, why does anyone care what the Canucks punk Alex Burrows has to say on anything? [Yahoo Sports]

"I'm really surprised and even more confused," Canucks winger Alex Burrows said after the ruling. "I've been trying to figure it out and I don't know if goalies are in play now if they're out of their crease. This might set a precedent. Shanahan played the game and he probably knew that he [Lucic] had time to move and growing up you learn you can't really hit the goalies. I would have dove at the puck or have tried to get out of the way.

"I thought there would be repercussions. We're concerned. I thought we were trying to get those kind of hits out of this league and now it might be back to old-time hockey. The next thing you know, you might have a line brawl or a bench clearing."

Alex Burrows can’t be serious; this clown doesn't have a leg to stand on or the moral compass to make these comments. In case anyone forgot, this was the same buffoon that bit Patrice Bergeron last spring in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Buffalo Sabre goalies are having a rough go of as of late. After Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller was run over by  Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic, Sabres backup goaltender Jhonas Enroth was run over by the Canadiens' Erik Cole. The funny thing is there isn’t as much public out cry about Cole running over Enroth [Video]

Former Fighting Sioux goalie Eddy Belfour was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. [Click to view video]

Lucic will not be suspended.

Image via WikipediaObviously the Buffalo Sabres aren't going to be happy with this decision, Lindy Ruff let it be know that he isn't happy with his goaltender getting run. [click to listen] Ruff claims by not suspending Lucic the league is basically saying that you can run a goalie over when he is out of the net playing the puck.

 "If [Lucic] isn't suspended, it just means teams will be able to do exactly what Lucic did," Ruff said. "Their goaltender can play the puck, we can run him over. We can hurt him and all you get is a two-minute minor penalty. That's essentially what that means. You can concuss the other team's goaltender. You can run him going at whatever speed he was going. He made no attempt to get out of the way. It means it's fair game on goaltenders."

 I don't hink we have gone down the slippery slope, at least not yet. I also don't think we are going to see more NHL goaltenders getting run over. I don't blame the Sabres for being mad, I think the Sabres have a right to be upset. That being said, if I was a Sabres fan I would be upset that no one on my team challenged Lucic for that hit. I also don't think that it's now open season on goaltenders either. I also don't think that this hit by Lucic was worthy of a suspension, like I told a friend of mine, not every questionable hit or penalty is worthy of a suspension. 

TORONTO -- Shanahan held a hearing with Lucic via conference call because he had specific questions he wanted to ask before making a determination on potential supplemental discipline.

"I had the hearing because I did make an initial assessment of the play as I do with all plays, but I did have some questions for Milan and I wanted to hear directly from him," Shanahan told NHL.com. "They were regarding his intent; at what point did he know there was going to be a collision; and whether or not he felt he had the time to avoid the collision. I was satisfied with his answers."

Shanahan said the minor penalty for charging was the proper call in this case because it follows Rule 42.1, which reads "a goalkeeper is not fair game just because he is outside the goal crease area."

"The minor penalty called on the ice was the correct call," Shanahan said. "And, while it's unfortunate that Miller was hurt I saw nothing egregious about this hit that would elevate it to supplemental discipline."

The fans that hate the Boston Bruins are now going to say that there is a conspiracy and that the league loves the Boston Bruins and that the Bruins will always get way with bush league hits and that by not suspending Lucic only confirms what most of the Bruins haters thought last spring when Chara didn't get suspended for his hit on Max Pacioretty. Until one of the Boston Bruins gets the book thrown at him by the NHL front office the tin foil hat crowd is going to be out in full force.Notice a lot of the howling and complaining coming from the fans in Montreal.What do you think of this ruling by Shanahan?