Ryan Miller should be team USA's starter

Dipietro is too inconsistant. If Miller is able to play this is a no brainer in my mind, he's been more consistant, and well just better than DiPietro.

Did he even get put on the roster?

Or is he on the taxi squad.

I think he is on taxi,but at this point he should be starting.

what a stupid, stupid move to not put him on the roster. boggles the mind.

yes, he was coming off of injury...but 2 mediocre goalies and a guy who could be awesome is way better than just 3 mediocre goalies

USA screwed this one up big time...oh well.

what a stupid, stupid move to not put him on the roster. boggles the mind.

yes, he was coming off of injury...but 2 mediocre goalies and a guy who could be awesome is way better than just 3 mediocre goalies
I have a feeling Dipietro will have a phantom groin injury come Febuary, if the US wants any chance at grabbing a medal, DiPietro absolutely cannot play. What will happen is he will have one outstanding game against a decent team, and get shelled the next game.

I've seen enough of Ryan Miller to say he is without a doubt the United States best goalie.

Miller's deserves a spot on that team. At least that.

He'll take the #1 role if someone "gets injured".

I definitely think Ryan Miller ranks as one of the best goalies out there. He should get the start! I was in awe of him as he completely shut down the Thrashers a couple of weeks ago (I'm a Thrashers fan!). We could not BUY a goal from that guy! (well, 1)

I wouldn't throw Dipietro under the bus yet. I would be willing to be more on Esche having an injury than anyone. What is Esche's status? Is he still hurt. Need to get Miller time going :bow:

Good game again by Miller last night in Edmonton :shakehead

so is DiPietro the starter as of right now?

so is DiPietro the starter as of right now?
Yeah, the order of things look like DiPietro-Esche-Grahame-(Miller).

It was just a combination of unfortunate timing and lack of vision from DW. Miller didn't come back from his injury until AFTER the team was named. Waddel should have named him b/c of his potential to be #1. Esche and Graham are good #2's for the olympics. Only Rick and Ryan could steal the show. He should have picked Rick/Ryan and THEN chose a #2. And there was no risk b/c if Ryan didn't fully come back to form after his injury he could have exchanged him for a the loser b/w esche/graham.

Too bad. Right now Miller has top 5 stats. He's the clear cut #1 usa goalie.

Save %
Miller .924
Graham .892
Esche .890
Dipietro .888

It was just a combination of unfortunate timing and lack of vision from DW. Miller didn't come back from his injury until AFTER the team was named. Waddel should have named him b/c of his potential to be #1. Esche and Graham are good #2's for the olympics. Only Rick and Ryan could steal the show. He should have picked Rick/Ryan and THEN chose a #2. And there was no risk b/c if Ryan didn't fully come back to form after his injury he could have exchanged him for a the loser b/w esche/graham.

Too bad. Right now Miller has top 5 stats. He's the clear cut #1 usa goalie.
Wrong, He was back 10 days before the team was named. He played 2 conditioning games in Rochester. Then practiced for a week with Buffalo, before starting against Philly the night the team was named. Also teams didn't have to be officially named for another 3 days. I sort of understand naming Esche and Ricky boy, because what they had done in the past for USA hockey but Graehme?

As an Islander fan, I will admit, Rick has been very disappointing this season. But, he has a horrid defense in front of him. That said, I still believe that Miller should have been on the starting roster rather than the taxi squad. I would have left Grahame off of the roster.

Save %
Miller .924
Graham .892
Esche .890
Dipietro .888

Although Save % is a better indicator of a goalie's performance than GAA, it is not to be taken as an absolute comparison tool. Rick's save % compared to Esche and Grahame is statistically insignificant when you take into consideration the defense that they have to play behind. I couldn't tell you how many times this year Rick has not had a chance on goals because of the disgusting coverage by Isles D-Men.

Although Save % is a better indicator of a goalie's performance than GAA, it is not to be taken as an absolute comparison tool. Rick's save % compared to Esche and Grahame is statistically insignificant when you take into consideration the defense that they have to play behind. I couldn't tell you how many times this year Rick has not had a chance on goals because of the disgusting coverage by Isles D-Men.

The same can be said about Grahame, he sees Sydor in his nightmares.

I'm sick of people saying this. We all know he should be on the team, but the fact of the matter is; he isn't. Nothing will change this, so please get over it and move on with your life!

I'm sick of people saying this. We all know he should be on the team, but the fact of the matter is; he isn't. Nothing will change this, so please get over it and move on with your life!

Will you calm down. I'm fairly new to the board and it was the first time I have been to the Olympics section. I opined on a topic of interest. If you can't handle that then I'm sorry.

dipietro is playing behind a crap defense for sure, but he's obviously not playing as well as he could be either. he's having a rough year and honestly i look at goaltending as a big weakness for the US this year.

save % and stats aren't the end all, but christ...all three of the named guys have sub .900 %'s. that just sucks. no excuses, that just sucks.

DiPietro played brilliant, all-star calibre hockey for the first month of the season and has dramatically fallen off since. I chalk this up to 3 factors:

1) He plays behind in my opinion the second worst defense in hockey behind Pittsburgh's. The puck is always in his zone, almost all of the goals he allows are on quality scoring chances and he never gets help in front of the net. Watching the Isles blueliners protecting DiPietro is downright depressing.

2) Fatigue. This has a lot to do with the amount of shots that he faces every night but also because he just plays too much. He's not a Martin Brodeur type player--he can't start every game and the coaching staff should've realized that months ago.

3) Confidence. I know it seems crazy to say that DiPietro lacks confidence, but the signs are there. He gets rattled after giving up a goal. He keeps changing pads because he can't get comfortable recently. His safety net (Garth Snow) is gone.

It's very hard to judge DiPietro vs. Miller. One plays for one of the worst defenses in the league, the other plays for the best. One plays every night, the other plays in a comfortable platoon. It's not hard to justify Miller over Ricky but it's also very easy to defend DiPietro.

The worst part is that unfortunately I don't see Team USA being any better for him. Team USA's defense is going to be incredibly overmatched by teams like Canada or the Czechs and I get the feeling that he may get the label of "bust" unfairly after the Olympics.

It's very hard to judge DiPietro vs. Miller. One plays for one of the worst defenses in the league, the other plays for the best. One plays every night, the other plays in a comfortable platoon.


:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:


Stop making excuses,Miller plays behind a defense that many considered to be the worst in the league this summer.

And Miller doesn't play in a platoon,Miller starts the majority of the games,Biron has only played so much because of Miller injury+his 13 game winning streak.

No question Miller should be starting.

Wrong, He was back 10 days before the team was named. He played 2 conditioning games in Rochester. Then practiced for a week with Buffalo, before starting against Philly the night the team was named. Also teams didn't have to be officially named for another 3 days. I sort of understand naming Esche and Ricky boy, because what they had done in the past for USA hockey but Graehme?

I doubt his performance against AHL competition and practice routine had much impact on DW's decision. If the team would have been picked 3 weeks later, Miller would have been the unquestioned STARTER.

Team USA announced their announcement date long before they knew which week RM would be back. They weren't going to change the date just to watch 1 more game.

Although Save % is a better indicator of a goalie's performance than GAA, it is not to be taken as an absolute comparison tool.

I agree. But the difference in this case is so great it's hard to argue with in this case. The other 3 goalies are within .004 whereas Miller is more than .2 better than all of them.

I doubt his performance against AHL competition and practice routine had much impact on DW's decision. If the team would have been picked 3 weeks later, Miller would have been the unquestioned STARTER.

Team USA announced their announcement date long before they knew which week RM would be back.

My point was DW used him being injured as an excuse not to chose him. He obviously was healed and had played two AHL games and his thumb was fine. Do you realy think I meant he should be chosen because of those games? :shakehead I think his performance prior to injury was better than the other three. Also, Esche was out injured when the selections were made. I think you understand that USA hockey politics played a role in the selections. That said, I hope Ricky boy is the golden boy that everyone thinks he is because I want the US to win.

DiPietro played brilliant, all-star calibre hockey for the first month of the season and has dramatically fallen off since. I chalk this up to 3 factors:

1) He plays behind in my opinion the second worst defense in hockey behind Pittsburgh's. The puck is always in his zone, almost all of the goals he allows are on quality scoring chances and he never gets help in front of the net. Watching the Isles blueliners protecting DiPietro is downright depressing.

2) Fatigue. This has a lot to do with the amount of shots that he faces every night but also because he just plays too much. He's not a Martin Brodeur type player--he can't start every game and the coaching staff should've realized that months ago.

3) Confidence. I know it seems crazy to say that DiPietro lacks confidence, but the signs are there. He gets rattled after giving up a goal. He keeps changing pads because he can't get comfortable recently. His safety net (Garth Snow) is gone.

It's very hard to judge DiPietro vs. Miller. One plays for one of the worst defenses in the league, the other plays for the best. One plays every night, the other plays in a comfortable platoon. It's not hard to justify Miller over Ricky but it's also very easy to defend DiPietro.

The worst part is that unfortunately I don't see Team USA being any better for him. Team USA's defense is going to be incredibly overmatched by teams like Canada or the Czechs and I get the feeling that he may get the label of "bust" unfairly after the Olympics.
How is it easy to defend DiPietro? it's the same story with him, he's either really good or really bad, no consistancy.

How many people thought Buffalo would have one of the best defenses before the season started?

Right now Miller is the best American goalie playing, so they need to find a spot for him.

How is it easy to defend DiPietro? it's the same story with him, he's either really good or really bad, no consistancy.

How many people thought Buffalo would have one of the best defenses before the season started?
Right now Miller is the best American goalie playing, so they need to find a spot for him.
Lets not get carried away, they are 17th in the league giving up 29.7 shots per game, the isles are 26th giving up 32.8 per game. Miller 582 shots in 20 games or 29.1 per game and Ricky D. 997 shots in 35 games 28.5 per game. Miller has had some very busy nights the way the Sabres play an attacking style. They rely on him to bail them out. These stats prove two things 1. Ricky D. isn't as overworked as his defenders like to claim and 2. I have too much time on my hands. :help:

Well, Don Waddell stated at the time that all three goalies were starting the NHL. At this time, Graham is duking it out with Burke for starting duties; Burke has been better in the past few games... Esche is out with an injury and even when he comes back from the injury, I highly doubt he will see much time as a starter unless Niittymaki spontaneously combusts. So much for that argument :shakehead .

Dipietro clearly deserves to be top 2 on the team, as he can be spectacular whereas the other two top out at slightly above average. With that said, DiPietro has been wildly inconsistent. My initial beliefs were that Steve Stirling "Stirling mad" expression (where somehow he only shows his lower teeth) was distracting him, so Ill give him the benefit of the doubt.

I am a Sabres fan, and I have been able to watch Miller the past few seasons, both in Rochester and with the Sabres. The biggest factor for his success is remarkable positioning. He can (and often does) make spectacular saves, but pucks will just hit him due to his sound technique. He is not afraid to cover up the puck, which slows the game down and really helps the team in front of him. Overall, he has been perfectly sound. Even when Biron was going crazy and went on his streak, most fans in Buffalo still awaited Miller's return, and I think that says something.

Overall, I look forward to Waddell's choice coming back to haunt him. :propeller

As an Islanders fan I'm very interested to see how DiPietro performs on a good team where the shots he does face will be quality ones. This will go a long way towards showing how good or bad he truly is and could absolutely sore his value on the market this summer as he is an RFA. I have a feeling though he will end up not even playing 1 minute

lol Thats funny. Since long time USA has a good Goalie again and then they don't name him into the squad. :biglaugh:
Its hard to understand why a guy like Grahame was named instead of Miller...even if he was injured at this time.

How is it easy to defend DiPietro? it's the same story with him, he's either really good or really bad, no consistancy.

How many people thought Buffalo would have one of the best defenses before the season started?

Right now Miller is the best American goalie playing, so they need to find a spot for him.
What difference does it make whether or not people thought that Buffalo would have a good defense over the summer? The fact of the matter is that they protect Miller and the Isles defense doesn't protect DiPietro. There's really no other way to put it, I don't see why some people find this so hard to understand.

By the way in my previous post I meant to say that the Sabres have "one of" the best defenses, not "the best."

:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:


Stop making excuses,Miller plays behind a defense that many considered to be the worst in the league this summer.

And Miller doesn't play in a platoon,Miller starts the majority of the games,Biron has only played so much because of Miller injury+his 13 game winning streak.


+1

What difference does it make whether or not people thought that Buffalo would have a good defense over the summer? The fact of the matter is that they protect Miller and the Isles defense doesn't protect DiPietro. There's really no other way to put it, I don't see why some people find this so hard to understand.

By the way in my previous post I meant to say that the Sabres have "one of" the best defenses, not "the best."

If you read my earlier post, you would see that they face the same amount of shots per game. Miller's save% .923 Dipietro .890. Yet that same Isles D "protects" Snow to a .905 save%. Snow is an average goalie yet he has a better save % than the golden boy.
As a Sabres fan I can tell you that our dmen are good for the system we play. In the context of the league they are nothing amazing. The system relies on the goalie to bail them out of alot of odd man rushes and occasionally break aways. The D are always pinching and joining the rush. In that system I don't think Ricky D would do any better in Buffalo if he needs to be "protected"

Since when does Buffalo have one of the best defenses in the NHL? Middle of the pack at best. It's kind of ironic since many were saying the Sabres lost their "best" defenseman to the Isles during the offseason.

Buffalo's style leads to many of Miller's saves being high quality scoring chances. Miller's stats are significantly better than any of our other goaltenders; DiPi's aren't better than Snow's. That's even worse when you consider that Buffalo's backup(s) is a lot better than the Islanders.

Saying that Miller is playing better because of the defense he plays behind is completely asinine.

Miller's the best American goalie, period.

Dipietro isn't even the best US goalie on his team. :sarcasm:

Dipietro isn't even the best US goalie on his team. :sarcasm:
If you honestly think that Garth Snow is better than Rick DiPietro than you clearly haven't seen either of them play in a long, long time.

Esche was excellent in his first game back from injury. Was the best player on the ice in a 2-1 Flyers victory.

It shouldn't be an arguement of DiPietro or Esche vs. Miller, it should be what the hell Team USA was thinking when they picked John Grahame over Miller. Atleast take the guy as the #3, it's not like Grahame is going to play.

Miller is on fire! DiPietro is weak! He and Conklin put up OK numbers (good sv %) in Austria but no clutch wins! Esche is more dependable in big games but he is still nursing an injury and hasnt gotten into a rhythm. At any rate Miller has been playing so well of late that it wouldnt matter if he was healthy. Get it done and maybe we can at least upset a couple of teams. Goals will be tough to come by, we have to win with defense and goaltending.

It shouldn't be an arguement of DiPietro or Esche vs. Miller


Yes it should be, because neither of them come close to Miller.

Yes it should be, because neither of them come close to Miller.
I'm just saying that Miller should be on the team over Grahame. Esche and DiPietro atleast have reasoning to be there.

I'm just saying that Miller should be on the team over Grahame. Esche and DiPietro atleast have reasoning to be there.

At the time the team was picked, IIRC, Miller was injured, and Grahame was in the middle of a 9 game unbeaten streak. Thus the reason, IMO, that decision was made.

Miller is 5-0 vs. Grahame and DiPietro this year.I would rather have Miller with a BROKEN THUMB over Grahame OR DiPietro any day of the week. Esche is not an outstanding goalie by any means, he was in the same situation Khabibulin was in last year. An above-average goalie that got hot right before the playoffs. Miller is the best US goalie since Richter.

If you honestly think that Garth Snow is better than Rick DiPietro than you clearly haven't seen either of them play in a long, long time.
:sarcasm: You do know what that symbol means. :shakehead :shakehead :shakehead

Miller should absolutely start for team USA. Diepetro is very inconistent, while Miller has shown himself to be solid. Theres no reason Miller shouldn't be on the roster either.

This team USA is the worst since NHLers have been in the olympics. Im going to have a hard time rooting for them, especially when there are so many guys i root for in the nhl playing for other teams

At the time the team was picked, IIRC, Miller was injured, and Grahame was in the middle of a 9 game unbeaten streak. Thus the reason, IMO, that decision was made.
See my earlier post he was back. Although Esche was out injured groin or hammy don't remember.

As an Islander fan, I will admit, Rick has been very disappointing this season. But, he has a horrid defense in front of him. That said, I still believe that Miller should have been on the starting roster rather than the taxi squad. I would have left Grahame off of the roster.

Same here i agree Grahame should have been left off this roster


Now For all these Sabre fans now bashing DiPietro

remember you havent watched the Isles like we isles fans have...

Our D is absolutely the worst in the NHL

At least the Sabres are ready to play in the "new NHL"

we Isles are have a roster that is woefully slow in this new fast game.


If i ran the Team USA selection i would have let DiPietro & Miller battle it out & let Esche be the #3

Miller is 5-0 vs. Grahame and DiPietro this year.I would rather have Miller with a BROKEN THUMB over Grahame OR DiPietro any day of the week. Esche is not an outstanding goalie by any means, he was in the same situation Khabibulin was in last year. An above-average goalie that got hot right before the playoffs. Miller is the best US goalie since Richter.

Miller is 5-0 against Grahame and DiPietro because he has a much better team than either of those two. If you watched the Sabres slam the Isles repeatedly you'd realize that it was about the Isles being totally outclassed, not about Miller being better than DiPietro.

I've made every point that I can. Basically let me just say that to understand DiPietro's season you have to actually watch him play and see him hung out to dry time and time again. If you just read his stats (like almost everybody in this conversation has done) you won't be able to appreciate the amount of great games he's had and the number of games (Toronto and the last game vs. the Rangers stand out) where he gave up 3-4 goals on breakaways and 2 on 1's.

I'm Canadian, and frankly, if Miller starts, the US is a much bigger threat to us.

grahme got a shutout last night (only faced 20 shots) and eshce only allowed 1 goal on 33 shots last night. looks like the USA goalie fight is gonna be epic.

Lets not get carried away, they are 17th in the league giving up 29.7 shots per game, the isles are 26th giving up 32.8 per game. Miller 582 shots in 20 games or 29.1 per game and Ricky D. 997 shots in 35 games 28.5 per game. Miller has had some very busy nights the way the Sabres play an attacking style. They rely on him to bail them out. These stats prove two things 1. Ricky D. isn't as overworked as his defenders like to claim and 2. I have too much time on my hands. :help:
I never meant it like that, just commenting on the persons 'buffalo has such a good defense' opinion. Although total shots doesn't tell the story, what about the quality of the shots?

What difference does it make whether or not people thought that Buffalo would have a good defense over the summer? The fact of the matter is that they protect Miller and the Isles defense doesn't protect DiPietro. There's really no other way to put it, I don't see why some people find this so hard to understand.

By the way in my previous post I meant to say that the Sabres have "one of" the best defenses, not "the best."
I want team USA to have the best shot possible of winning a medal, and right now Miller looks like he's the best. All bias' aside.

Since when does Buffalo have one of the best defenses in the NHL? Middle of the pack at best. It's kind of ironic since many were saying the Sabres lost their "best" defenseman to the Isles during the offseason.

Buffalo's style leads to many of Miller's saves being high quality scoring chances. Miller's stats are significantly better than any of our other goaltenders; DiPi's aren't better than Snow's. That's even worse when you consider that Buffalo's backup(s) is a lot better than the Islanders.

Saying that Miller is playing better because of the defense he plays behind is completely asinine.

Miller's the best American goalie, period.
Buffalo has long had a better team commitment to defense, and their forwards are more diligent about back checking. In the past the Islanders had better names on the defense, but I would say that overall their defense was no better. Now we don't even have the names. Buffalo may have lost their most talented D, but with McKee healthy and bringing in Lydman and Numminen, they still managed to significantly strengthen their defense. The Isles on the other hand replace Hamrlik with Zhitnik (wash), but then replaced Aucoin with Sopel and Jonsson with Lukowich (gigantic downgrades). Combine that with the iffy team commitment to defense and too many lazy forwards not backchecking, and it's not the kind of environment a goalie can really be expected to win in.

As far as the back up comparison goes, Biron's GAA and Sv% while not as good as Miller's, are still very solid. Of more importance though, is that his record is very similar. Buffalo is about the same level of a team with Biron as opposed to Miller (though, if you really want to get into it, Biron has more wins and fewer losses, so you could even argue they're better with Biron). Dipietro on the other hand is a game above .500 on a losing team. Snow is 3 games below, and Dubielwicz is 2 games below.

Regardless, while I am defending Dipietro and his play this season, I think Miller would be the better choice for America. He's playing superb and is riding a hot streak. His confidence is high. Dipietro on the other hand, is quite the opposite. As an Isles fan, I'd like to see Dipietro get the nod as I think it would be great for his confidence and hopefully help spark a good streak upon his return. But as a team USA fan, I think it should be Miller between the pipes.

grahme got a shutout last night (only faced 20 shots) and eshce only allowed 1 goal on 33 shots last night. looks like the USA goalie fight is gonna be epic.

It will be interesting to see who gets the nod. IMO, it will come down to Esche and DiPietro, and while I think the U.S. brass wants Ricky to be the guy, Esche is very capable.

So the only way Miller gets on the squad is if there is an injury to the top 3 correct? He will travel with the team to Turin,but have to stay outside the village?

Miller is 5-0 against Grahame and DiPietro because he has a much better team than either of those two. If you watched the Sabres slam the Isles repeatedly you'd realize that it was about the Isles being totally outclassed, not about Miller being better than DiPietro.



Not to nitpick, but Rick got pulled in Buffalo's 2nd win over the Isles (1st game on Long Islansd) after allowing two goals, the second the mother of all softies to Hecht.

;)

I never meant it like that, just commenting on the persons 'buffalo has such a good defense' opinion. Although total shots doesn't tell the story, what about the quality of the shots?
I can only comment about his games against Buffalo and he gave up some softies

Miller is the best US born tender in the league. Bottom line.

Dipietro? :biglaugh:

It's gonna be difficult to watch this team play with Rick or any of the other two in net and know that MIller is the one that gives us any hope at all.

spoken mostly by Buff fans, there is no doubt that Miller is having an outstanding year. But Rick has a great tournement record and experience. That said, I'm no Isle homer. He's been horrific on a very horrific team and coaching this year. His confidence is as shot as the swiss cheese of his Dmen in front of him.

However, here is my point:

It is up to the coach, based on the schemes and styles, to decide whats and WHO is best. Part of that is tournie experience, and above all, play....especially in practices and drills, once it's time.

If Miller is the man, and Esche/Dipietro (both having poor years) falter, all good. May the best man win..above all, may they win is something we need bad. US needs to make a stir is a prime slot on NBC these upcoming Olympics. Hockey needs this, and US teams need this. So, whoever is in goal, better stand on his head and face the pressure like a jedi master.

Miller is 5-0 against Grahame and DiPietro because he has a much better team than either of those two.
You're lumping in Tampa with the Isles?

It will be interesting to see who gets the nod. IMO, it will come down to Esche and DiPietro, and while I think the U.S. brass wants Ricky to be the guy, Esche is very capable.

I agree with your analysis... I also believe that Miller will wind up on the squad as an injury replacement for one of the currently named goalies. Esche could use some time off to let his groin fully heal, and I know Dipetrato has been hurt and missed time recently.

Best of luck to the squad with whatever decision they make.

Even when Biron was going crazy and went on his streak, most fans in Buffalo still awaited Miller's return, and I think that says something.

Overall, I look forward to Waddell's choice coming back to haunt him. :propeller

It says the team if front of the Sabres goaltenders were so good it did not matter who was in goal, where in the Islanders case it's exactly the opposite.

Funny but in 2003-04 it was the Islanders that went 4-0 against the Sabres with DiPietro stopping forty shots in a huge win at Buffalo down the stretch who's play beat out the Sabres for a playoff spot. It was DiPietro who was solid in the World Cup in his start and it was DiPietro who stopped fifty shots in a losing effort in the World Championship.

DiPietro's paid his dues for years representing the US in these tournaments, he's earned an opportunity to start over Miller and if the team gives him any chance to win DiPietro will find a way.

It says the team if front of the Sabres goaltenders were so good it did not matter who was in goal, where in the Islanders case it's exactly the opposite.

Funny but in 2003-04 it was the Islanders that went 4-0 against the Sabres with DiPietro stopping forty shots in a huge win at Buffalo down the stretch who's play beat out the Sabres for a playoff spot. It was DiPietro who was solid in the World Cup in his start and it was DiPietro who stopped fifty shots in a losing effort in the World Championship.

DiPietro's paid his dues for years representing the US in these tournaments, he's earned an opportunity to start over Miller and if the team gives him any chance to win DiPietro will find a way.
I agree he has paid his dues and should be on the team but to be guaranteed to start? I don't recall him carrying USA hockey to a gold in the olympics or World Cup. He has played well at times in the past but we aren't talking about Broduer. Someone who is having a bad season but was the man for years. Dipietro is a young inconsistant goalie who can be great occassionally but hasn't been this year. I think Miller should be on the team, starter? I don't know. Based on his recent play probably.
I also thought that the point of the Olympics was to win with your best players. Not to be a reward for playing in the past for the US. If Ricky boy had actually won World Cups and olympic gold then his previous service matters. Who starts should be who gives you the best chance to win. If you think he will get great Defensive play your dreaming. This team will be under siege in many games. Ricky's supporters continually point out he needs to be "protected" if he was just "protected" this year he would do well.. Well that won't happen in the olympics.
My rant is over.As I have said in the past if Ricky starts I will be cheering for him because I want the US to win.

Funny but in 2003-04 it was the Islanders that went 4-0 against the Sabres with DiPietro stopping forty shots in a huge win at Buffalo down the stretch who's play beat out the Sabres for a playoff spot. It was DiPietro who was solid in the World Cup in his start and it was DiPietro who stopped fifty shots in a losing effort in the World Championship.



Too Bad this is now and that was then.Totally irrelevent information.Now,Ryan Miller is far superior to DiPietro.

Too Bad this is now and that was then.Totally irrelevent information.Now,Ryan Miller is far superior to DiPietro.

and Miller wasnt picked to be on TEAM USA

so its an irrelevant argument



if anything Blame whomever selected Grahame

and Miller wasnt picked to be on TEAM USA

so its an irrelevant argument



if anything Blame whomever selected Grahame

Thats not exactly true. Miller is on the Taxi squad. Esche and Dipietro have had injuries lately, you never know. The arguement isn't Totally irrelevent.

Thats not exactly true. Miller is on the Taxi squad. Esche and Dipietro have had injuries lately, you never know. The arguement isn't Totally irrelevent.

If it was up to me id let Miller & DiPietro battle it out

put DiPietro behind a decent D and sees who's better

But the way that pecking order was selected...even on a taxi squad..its a long shot unless as you said Esche pulls a hammy or DiPietro hurts his knee with our invisible D

If it was up to me id let Miller & DiPietro battle it out

put DiPietro behind a decent D and sees who's better

But the way that pecking order was selected...even on a taxi squad..its a long shot unless as you said Esche pulls a hammy or DiPietro hurts his knee with our invisible D
Always with the defense, I was at the game in Buffalo early in the year and I've seen the Isles on Center ice a few times. The Isles D is bad but Ricky gives up some softies. I know D matters but if you are the "golden boy" of USA hockey you should be doing better. He is very inconsistant this year. Read my earlier post. He will not get great D in the Olympics, he will be under seige in most games.

Always with the defense, I was at the game in Buffalo early in the year and I've seen the Isles on Center ice a few times. The Isles D is bad but Ricky gives up some softies. I know D matters but if you are the "golden boy" of USA hockey you should be doing better. He is very inconsistant this year. Read my earlier post. He will not get great D in the Olympics, he will be under seige in most games.

Our D is possibly the worst in the league.

but correct DiPietro has given up a few softies as all goalies do

but when you rely on Lukovich/Zhitnik/Sopel/Martinek as your top 4


youre getting no help at all from your D

ive watched about 90% of thier games
that D is horrid plus the fact thier fws dont help the D at all.

Do you realize the few times diPietro has gotten hurt is from other players from other teams pretty much running him over?

Our D is possibly the worst in the league.

but correct DiPietro has given up a few softies as all goalies do

but when you rely on Lukovich/Zhitnik/Sopel/Martinek as your top 4


youre getting no help at all from your D

ive watched about 90% of thier games
that D is horrid plus the fact thier fws dont help the D at all.

Do you realize the few times diPietro has gotten hurt is from other players from other teams pretty much running him over?

Its pretty close, although Michel Thierren would argue otherwise :sarcasm:
Has Zhitnik been that bad? He had always played well for us.

Its pretty close, although Michel Thierren would argue otherwise :sarcasm:
Has Zhitnik been that bad? He had always played well for us.

No he hasnt...but he isnt a #1 D...we have no real viable #1 or #2 D..hell arguably Zhitnik is a #3D or 4th.

Too Bad this is now and that was then.Totally irrelevent information.Now,Ryan Miller is far superior to DiPietro.

So a goaltender who had only three NHL starts in 03-04 who took a huge step back from 02-03 (Miller) vs someone who took the starters job in 2003-04 had several outstanding starts, a solid playoff and effort in the World Cup and an outstanding game with fifty saves in the World Championships (DiPietro) is far superior based on two months? (4-0 in December and is only 4-3 in Jaunary)

Comical.

Miller was 6-4 in October and let in a shot from center ice on opening night. Until he was injured Sabres showed no signs of becoming a good team or a dominant goaltender. Biron was 15-6 and that's who was in goal when the Sabres turned their season around, by your discussion he should be the starter over Brodeur/Luongo for Canada. Last time Miller played the Islanders they scored three goals in the first peirod and Miller could not stop anything, their offense won the game by bombing Snow and their defense gave Miller very little work afterward, that's why he's winning games.

And still he's only 4-3 in January.

DiPietro has had a solid season with what his defense is allowing in front of him and the soft goals for the most part have been infrequent. More often than not the team in front of him is giving him no chance and he has not had one easy night all season.

Don Waddell said it and I completely agree with him. DiPietro is a money goaltender and it's not about stats but winning a big game. He is America's best chance in goal if were talking about stealing games and winning gold and that's why he should be in team USA's net over Miller.

So a goaltender who had only three NHL starts in 03-04 who took a huge step back from 02-03 (Miller) vs someone who took the starters job in 2003-04 had several outstanding starts, a solid playoff and effort in the World Cup and an outstanding game with fifty saves in the World Championships (DiPietro) is far superior based on two months? (4-0 in December and is only 4-3 in Jaunary)

Comical.

Miller was 6-4 in October and let in a shot from center ice on opening night. Until he was injured Sabres showed no signs of becoming a good team or a dominant goaltender. Biron was 15-6 and that's who was in goal when the Sabres turned their season around, by your discussion he should be the starter over Brodeur/Luongo for Canada. Last time Miller played the Islanders they scored three goals in the first peirod and Miller could not stop anything, their offense won the game by bombing Snow and their defense gave Miller very little work afterward, that's why he's winning games.

And still he's only 4-3 in January.

DiPietro has had a solid season with what his defense is allowing in front of him and the soft goals for the most part have been infrequent. More often than not the team in front of him is giving him no chance and he has not had one easy night all season.

Don Waddell said it and I completely agree with him. DiPietro is a money goaltender and it's not about stats but winning a big game. He is America's best chance in goal if were talking about stealing games and winning gold and that's why he should be in team USA's net over Miller.

What money game would that be? He has never won at the olympic,World Cup or NHL level that I'm aware of. I don't want to get on you too much, but your belittling of Miller is very childish. He is a very talented young goalie on the rise this year. Miller should be on the roster. I don't know if he should start but he should definitely be on the roster (Graehme,Miller, Dipietro). He is tops in the league in Save % and GAA(.922 and 2.26 respectively)you don't get these stats giving up alot of soft goals.. His record is 15-7-0. I was at that opening night game when he let that terrible goal in from center ice. I seem to remember Ricky letting in 5 that night, 2 softies. Ricky boy's problem to me is mental thus the inconsistancy. He has been touted as the US's golden boy in net and due to his draft status much is expected of him. I think he has a lot of talent and will succeed if put in the right situation. I don't know that the olympics are going to help him. His olympic team will be under seige in many games will he be up to the challenge? I doubt it but hope I am wrong.

I don't want to get on you too much, but your belittling of Miller is very childish.

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.


Ricky boy's problem to me is mental thus the inconsistancy.

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.

spoken mostly by Buff fans, there is no doubt that Miller is having an outstanding year. But Rick has a great tournement record and experience. That said, I'm no Isle homer. He's been horrific on a very horrific team and coaching this year. His confidence is as shot as the swiss cheese of his Dmen in front of him.

However, here is my point:

It is up to the coach, based on the schemes and styles, to decide whats and WHO is best. Part of that is tournie experience, and above all, play....especially in practices and drills, once it's time.

If Miller is the man, and Esche/Dipietro (both having poor years) falter, all good. May the best man win..above all, may they win is something we need bad. US needs to make a stir is a prime slot on NBC these upcoming Olympics. Hockey needs this, and US teams need this. So, whoever is in goal, better stand on his head and face the pressure like a jedi master.
Good last point, the US needs a good tournament for the NHL. Another reason to go with Miller.

spoken mostly by Buff fans, there is no doubt that Miller is having an outstanding year. But Rick has a great tournement record and experience. That said, I'm no Isle homer. He's been horrific on a very horrific team and coaching this year. His confidence is as shot as the swiss cheese of his Dmen in front of him.

However, here is my point:

It is up to the coach, based on the schemes and styles, to decide whats and WHO is best. Part of that is tournie experience, and above all, play....especially in practices and drills, once it's time.

If Miller is the man, and Esche/Dipietro (both having poor years) falter, all good. May the best man win..above all, may they win is something we need bad. US needs to make a stir is a prime slot on NBC these upcoming Olympics. Hockey needs this, and US teams need this. So, whoever is in goal, better stand on his head and face the pressure like a jedi master.


Concur.

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.
A marginal career ? He is a rookie so he hasn't had a career. Another marginal backup? he was never a backup in Buff. When he struggled he was sent to Rochester. I call him Ricky boy for short instead of Rick Dipietro USA hockey's goaltending golden boy.
As for the Allstar reference you make. They are the teams generally chosen by popularity and body of work not Olympic teams. Allstar teams shouldn't be picked this way but they are. Waddell didn't select him because of his thumb injury. I don't recall him commenting on his 02-03 season :shakehead

You my friend need to take a deep breath. If you have read my posts, I've said that Ricky has been inconsistant. you say its because his D is inconsistant. So he is playing great and nothing is wrong with his game. Amazing that two career backups, as you put it, have better numbers. No I'm sorry their defenses have better numbers. :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :shakehead

So a goaltender who had only three NHL starts in 03-04 who took a huge step back from 02-03 (Miller) vs someone who took the starters job in 2003-04 had several outstanding starts, a solid playoff and effort in the World Cup and an outstanding game with fifty saves in the World Championships (DiPietro) is far superior based on two months? (4-0 in December and is only 4-3 in Jaunary)

Comical.

Miller was 6-4 in October and let in a shot from center ice on opening night. Until he was injured Sabres showed no signs of becoming a good team or a dominant goaltender. Last time Miller played the Islanders they scored three goals in the first peirod and Miller could not stop anything, their offense won the game by bombing Snow and their defense gave Miller very little work afterward, that's why he's winning games.

And still he's only 4-3 in January.

DiPietro has had a solid season with what his defense is allowing in front of him and the soft goals for the most part have been infrequent. More often than not the team in front of him is giving him no chance and he has not had one easy night all season.

The only thing that is comical is the quotes above. You're just hating on Miller...the best US born goaltender in the NHL. By the end of this season and in the coming years your post will be a laughing stock. You haven't watched much of Miller have you? Obviously not.

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?

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.

Dipietro has been utter garbage this season. Anyone defending Dipietro's play this season is a rare commodity. Are you on his payroll?

Ya Miller gave up 4 goals the other night...so what? That was probably the 3rd time this year he's allowed more than 3 goals...Dipietro on the other hand might be approaching 20 games of that sort already this year! :biglaugh:

Earning your stripes makes sense to me, and Dipietro has more stripes as a representative for the US on the international stage, but the bottom line is, if the US wants to give themselves the best chance at being competitive, it's a no brainer, play Miller.

What's your beef with Miller anyway? You've thrown quite a few cheap shots at him in this thread...

A marginal career ? He is a rookie so he hasn't had a career. Another marginal backup? he was never a backup in Buff. When he struggled he was sent to Rochester.

Ryan Miller started fifteen games for Buffalo in 02-03. In 03-04 he started only three NHL games while DiPietro (who took the starters job full-time in Jan04) was great down the stretch with forty save wins in Buffalo/Anaheim that clinched the Isles a playoff spot over an excellent Sabres team.

Miller is also more than a year older than DiPietro.

Miller was a fifth round selection (138th overall in 1999) while DiPietro was the top draft pick (and rated as a top level draft pick) in the 2000 draft, there is a tangible difference here in projected potential among the professional experts who scouted and ranked both these players.


You my friend need to take a deep breath. If you have read my posts, I've said that Ricky has been inconsistant. you say its because his D is inconsistant. So he is playing great and nothing is wrong with his game. Amazing that two career backups, as you put it, have better numbers. No I'm sorry their defenses have better numbers.

While I'm taking that deep breath, feel free to point out where I wrote DiPietro is playing great? He had a solid start to the season for the Islanders and the media for a month or two were calling him this teams MVP because clearly he was keeping them in games and it caught up with him as the schedule got tougher and the team in front of him struggled even more. Maybe you do not understand the concept that goaltenders in front of poor defenses often wear down which has happened to DiPietro, who is getting little help.

As for hating Miller, I do not dislike him at all and unlike Fan of #9 would never refer to another player as garbage. I just do not give him as much credit for what Buffalo is doing because of him, another goaltender did the same thing before him and really the Sabres streak began when Miller was sidelined, not before.

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.

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

First of all you might want to double your shot total number as Miller faced 37 shots that game. Also it was the first time miller had given up more than 3 goals since Oct. 8th..a streak of 18 games of 3 goals or less.

Has Miller gone out and paid his dues and participated in the World Championships for his country

Well we all know paying your dues plays no part in the selection process...just ask Roenick. ;)

Ryan Miller started fifteen games for Buffalo in 02-03. In 03-04 he started only three NHL games while DiPietro (who took the starters job full-time in Jan04) was great down the stretch with forty save wins in Buffalo/Anaheim that clinched the Isles a playoff spot over an excellent Sabres team.

Miller is also more than a year older than DiPietro.

Miller was a fifth round selection (138th overall in 1999) while DiPietro was the top draft pick (and rated as a top level draft pick) in the 2000 draft, there is a tangible difference here in projected potential among the professional experts who scouted and ranked both these players.



While I'm taking that deep breath, feel free to point out where I wrote DiPietro is playing great? He had a solid start to the season for the Islanders and the media for a month or two were calling him this teams MVP because clearly he was keeping them in games and it caught up with him as the schedule got tougher and the team in front of him struggled even more. Maybe you do not understand the concept that goaltenders in front of poor defenses often wear down which has happened to DiPietro, who is getting little help.

As for hating Miller, I do not dislike him at all and unlike Fan of #9 would never refer to another player as garbage. I just do not give him as much credit for what Buffalo is doing because of him, another goaltender did the same thing before him and really the Sabres streak began when Miller was sidelined, not before.


You really don't watch the Sabres do you. Biron played well during the win streak. His GAA at that time was 3.04 and save % was .896 not quite at Miller's level. The team at the time was averaging 3.5 goals a game. Miller since returning has gone 9-3-0 GAA 1.83 save % .934. The team has had two offensive explosions of 10 and 8 goals. Other than those games we have been struggling to score. Averaging a little over 2 goals a game since late Dec. Your right he did give up 4 goals on 37 shots against TO. A couple nights before Ricky gave up 4 goals on 17 shots against NJ and was pulled. Since Miller has been back he has had 7, 1 goal games. You just hate that he is playing well and are trying to discredit him.
I have never said Ricky was garbage. I said he was inconsistant. His last four games in reverse order 4 goals on 17 shots (bad), 2 on 37 (great), 4 on 25 (bad) and 1 on 35 (great). That is inconsistant. I have also said in the right situation he will thrive, he has the talent. I just don't know if his confidence is where it needs to be for the Olympics. I think the US team will be under seige in many games and will need great goaltending at times to win.
I unlike some posters don't want Ricky to fail if he is the starter. I want the US to win. I will be cheering for him once he puts on the :handclap: USA jersey.

Deep breath...............happy thoughts NYisles1 :thumbu:

I have never said Ricky was garbage. I said he was inconsistant. His last four games in reverse order 4 goals on 17 shots (bad), 2 on 37 (great), 4 on 25 (bad) and 1 on 35 (great). That is inconsistant.

I referred specifically to the poster who wrote DiPietro was garbage, which was not you. The flaw in your point on inconsistency is it's only based on goals against vs shots and that's not how it works. Goaltenders can and do play well and still can give up four goals on only seventeen shots if he has no help in front of him. In the game you listing as bad (four goals on seventeen shots) he had no chance on at least three of the four goals against Vancouver and the media even wrote he was not at fault on any of the goals, after DiPietro was pulled his backup allowed four goals himself and on three of those he had no chance. A lot of times coaches pull goaltenders to send a message to the team in front of him also.

To post 2 on 37 (great) 4 on 25 (bad) is like a team that losses 7-1, yet takes twenty harmless shots in a peirod and claims they had good offensive pressure, sometimes it's reflective and sometimes it's not. Again I'm not claiming DiPietro has been great and a part of this does not go on his play, there's just more to it than that.

I didn't say Ricky was garbage. I said he has been utter garbage *this season*, and I'm sure many Isles fans would agree with that notion. I would never argue that Rick is a talented goalie, but in terms of here and now, Miller is the best choice. That's my stance.

I referred specifically to the poster who wrote DiPietro was garbage, which was not you. The flaw in your point on inconsistency is it's only based on goals against vs shots and that's not how it works. Goaltenders can and do play well and still can give up four goals on only seventeen shots if he has no help in front of him. In the game you listing as bad (four goals on seventeen shots) he had no chance on at least three of the four goals against Vancouver and the media even wrote he was not at fault on any of the goals, after DiPietro was pulled his backup allowed four goals himself and on three of those he had no chance. A lot of times coaches pull goaltenders to send a message to the team in front of him also.

To post 2 on 37 (great) 4 on 25 (bad) is like a team that losses 7-1, yet takes twenty harmless shots in a peirod and claims they had good offensive pressure, sometimes it's reflective and sometimes it's not. Again I'm not claiming DiPietro has been great and a part of this does not go on his play, there's just more to it than that.

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

I didn't say Ricky was garbage. I said he has been utter garbage *this season*, and I'm sure many Isles fans would agree with that notion. I would never argue that Rick is a talented goalie, but in terms of here and now, Miller is the best choice. That's my stance.

No he isn't , his defense is garbage aren't you paying attention :biglaugh: :sarcasm:

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?

What part of dominating every level of competition he's ever faced makes his career marginal?

And I guess 37 shots is "about" 18 in Long Island. Rick DiPietro is "about" as good as Miller.

Miller is 4th in SP% playing behind a suspect defense.

DiPietro is 3rd. On the Islanders.

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

Nitpicking and posting with logic are two different things. I find it absolutely hilarious that people will post "clearly you haven't watched the Sabres" and then go on to talk about how DiPietro has been "utter garbage this season," a statement based 100% on having looked at his stats.

The fact that you are ripping DiPietro for a game in which he stopped 41 shots and clearly led the Isles through with some huge saves (like Bergeron's breakaway for example) shows that you could not care less how DiPietro actually plays, you only care that Miller is better. Which is really too bad for you because it's gonna make the Olympics quite boring--DiPietro will be starting and Miller will be the backup if he's lucky enough to sneak onto the team. And that's not even an arguement except on an internet messageboard.

[QUOTE=NYIsles1] I unlike some posters don't want Ricky to fail if he is the starter. I want the US to win. I will be cheering for him once he puts on the :handclap: USA jersey.

That's good to hear joshjull. But if any American wishes DiPietro perform lousy if he is starter, they should be ashamed of themselves. It is fine if you think Miller should be on the main squad and starting but he isn't. Get over it and lets move on and try and win a medal as difficult a task as it appears to be at this point.

Nitpicking and posting with logic are two different things. I find it absolutely hilarious that people will post "clearly you haven't watched the Sabres" and then go on to talk about how DiPietro has been "utter garbage this season," a statement based 100% on having looked at his stats.

The fact that you are ripping DiPietro for a game in which he stopped 41 shots and clearly led the Isles through with some huge saves (like Bergeron's breakaway for example) shows that you could not care less how DiPietro actually plays, you only care that Miller is better. Which is really too bad for you because it's gonna make the Olympics quite boring--DiPietro will be starting and Miller will be the backup if he's lucky enough to sneak onto the team. And that's not even an arguement except on an internet messageboard.

King, may I call you King? ;) I have never said that Dipietro was garbage or "utter garbage" that was another poster. If you want to attack me do it based on what I actually posted. I have watched some Isles games on center ice and was at their games in Buffalo. I have said that he is inconsistant and has had great games and bad ones. Am I wrong? As for the Boyes goal, I pointed that out to tweak NYisles1, Ricky was the reason they won the game. OT:Man does Sopel suck. :deadhorse
I think he is a very good goalie struggling this year. I think Miller is playing better than him right now. That doesn't mean Dipietro is garbage or that I think Miller is the better goalie. Just that right now he is playing better. As for Ricky starting, I just think his game isn't where it could be and Miller might be a better option. But like you said its a moot point because Miller isn't one of the three named to the roster. :( (maybe Esche willpull his groin again) If you read my earlier posts you would know that I will be cheering hard for Ricky as soon as he pulls on the :handclap: USA jersey. I am not one who wants him to fail if he starts. So I doubt I will be bored.
Now do your duty and attack my nitpicking and lack of logic. :sarcasm: ;)

King, may I call you King? ;) I have never said that Dipietro was garbage or "utter garbage" that was another poster. If you want to attack me do it based on what I actually posted. I have watched some Isles games on center ice and was at their games in Buffalo. I have said that he is inconsistant and has had great games and bad ones. Am I wrong? As for the Boyes goal, I pointed that out to tweak NYisles1, Ricky was the reason they won the game. OT:Man does Sopel suck. :deadhorse
I think he is a very good goalie struggling this year. I think Miller is playing better than him right now. That doesn't mean Dipietro is garbage or that I think Miller is the better goalie. Just that right now he is playing better. As for Ricky starting, I just think his game isn't where it could be and Miller might be a better option. But like you said its a moot point because Miller isn't one of the three named to the roster. :( (maybe Esche willpull his groin again) If you read my earlier posts you would know that I will be cheering hard for Ricky as soon as he pulls on the :handclap: USA jersey. I am not one who wants him to fail if he starts. So I doubt I will be bored.
Now do your duty and attack my nitpicking and lack of logic. :sarcasm: ;)
:) I didn't mean to single you out, my bad. In any case I stand by my arguement.

Nitpicking and posting with logic are two different things. I find it absolutely hilarious that people will post "clearly you haven't watched the Sabres" and then go on to talk about how DiPietro has been "utter garbage this season," a statement based 100% on having looked at his stats.

What makes you so sure that statement is *100%* based on looking at the stats?

I've watched Dipietro at least a dozen times this year. I have access to HFboards, and read most teams board regularly, especially the Isles since they acquired Satan and Zhitnik. Then there's the stats. That enough evidence to suggest that Ricky is having a relatively poor season. You disagree?

What makes you so sure that statement is *100%* based on looking at the stats?

I've watched Dipietro at least a dozen times this year. I have access to HFboards, and read most teams board regularly, especially the Isles since they acquired Satan and Zhitnik. Then there's the stats. That enough evidence to suggest that Ricky is having a relatively poor season. You disagree?


Problem is that not everything is spelled out in stats

If youve watched as many Islanders games i have this year youd see

thier D is the NHL's worst

When you have Brent Sopel as your one of your top 4 D

You know Life will be tough for whomever is goalie behind you
Rick has had bad games but as mentioned before this is his 2nd full season as starter.

Ive said it before id let him & Miller battle it out

But the unecessary bashing of DiPietro is unwarranted

What makes you so sure that statement is *100%* based on looking at the stats?

I've watched Dipietro at least a dozen times this year. I have access to HFboards, and read most teams board regularly, especially the Isles since they acquired Satan and Zhitnik. Then there's the stats. That enough evidence to suggest that Ricky is having a relatively poor season. You disagree?
If you look at DiPietro's stats you'd think that he is one of the worse goalies in hockey. That is not the case. In several of the games that people are using as justification for benching DiPietro (Toronto and Vancouver come to mind), at least 3 out of 4 goals would've taken highlight reel saves to stop. When you are faced with several 2 on 1's a period and your defense just stands motionless and makes every shift look like the other team is on the powerplay it is difficult to perform like an all-star.

If you had watched the games (or if you were watching, paid close attention to them) you'd see what every single Islanders fan posting has said.

If youve watched as many Islanders games i have this year youd see thier D is the NHL's worst

How can anyone say this when there's a team called the pittsburgh penguins around. ;)

How can anyone say this when there's a team called the pittsburgh penguins around. ;)
In all honesty i do believe the Isles D is worse

It shouldn't be an arguement of DiPietro or Esche vs. Miller, it should be what the hell Team USA was thinking when they picked John Grahame over Miller. Atleast take the guy as the #3, it's not like Grahame is going to play.


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.

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.

leaving miller off the USA team is 100% indefensible

it's above debate

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 (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?:confused:

yeah ok

Stats dont mean ****

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

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

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

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.

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

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.