80 replies to this topic

[Todrick]

I've been watching the Tampa Bay's camp fairly closely to see if Drew will make the team...

Ironically his main competition for the spot has been former Duck, Brandon Bochenski, who cost him a spot here once. (I will never have anything but contempt for that troll)

So anyway...

I was pleasantly surprised to see this tweet just now from the official Tampa Twitter:

The Lightning have placed Adam Hall, Ryan Craig and Brandon Bochenski on waivers today.

Not only does it look like Drew may have earned himself a spot, with the departure of Bochenski... But Adam Hall wore #18 for Tampa, so Drew may be able to ditch the #16 he's been wearing in camp.

[RGS_Quack93]

I've been watching the Tampa Bay's camp fairly closely to see if Drew will make the team...

Ironically his main competition for the spot has been former Duck, Brandon Bochenski, who cost him a spot here once. (I will never have anything but contempt for that troll)

So anyway...

I was pleasantly surprised to see this tweet just now from the official Tampa Twitter:



Not only does it look like Drew may have earned himself a spot, with the departure of Bochenski... But Adam Hall wore #18 for Tampa, so Drew may be able to ditch the #16 he's been wearing in camp.

Thats good to hear, I always like Drew never thought he got a fair shake here. and Yeah +1 on Bochenski, never liked him

[Todrick]

With their final cuts today, it is official, Drew Miler has made the Lightning's roster.



Congrats to Drew!

[Doorswideshut]

Great news! when are you guys getting your jerseys? ha

[Todrick]

Tampa learning what Anaheim never did.

Miller Proving He Belongs in NHL

Miller couldn’t quite catch on for a full-time NHL job with the Ducks over the last two regular seasons, playing 26 games in 2007-08 and 27 last season. He did, however, play 13 playoff games for the Ducks last season. Miller had two goals and an assist, playing primarily with Todd Marchant and Rob Niedermayer on a checking line.

Changes were expected with the Ducks. But Miller was surprised he was the one to be traded.

“I just had to let it sink in and think about it a little bit,” Miller said. “Afterward, I realized it’s a good move for me. I’m hoping to get a better opportunity here.”

Miller is ready to take on the challenge.

[Just Duckie]

Tampa learning what Anaheim never did.

Miller Proving He Belongs in NHL

What has he proven? He's an okay player, that's it. Maybe a 3rd liner, maybe a 4th liner.

[Todrick]

What has he proven?

um... the answer is in the title of the article...

you know right after the part that formed the question you asked....

"...He Belongs in NHL"

And that's all he has to prove...

It's something he wasn't able to do in Anaheim, but he is doing a good job of it in Tampa.

[Just Duckie]

um... the answer is in the title of the article...

you know right after the part that formed the question you asked....

"...He Belongs in NHL"

So what? That says nothing. The article doesn't back up that headline. Again, what exactly has he proven to show that he's going to be more than a marginal player? Nothing.

[Todrick]

So what? That says nothing. The article doesn't back up that headline. Again, what exactly has he proven to show that he's going to be more than a marginal player? Nothing.

That's exactly what he is proving...

that he is more than a "marginal player" and that he "Belongs in the NHL".


(Tried to clean up my response, mods didn't like our last few posts apparently)

[Just Duckie]

Well, I'm not sure what lessons the Ducks should have learned that Tampa has. The Ducks were willing to give up a marginal player to get another marginal player, but one with some size to fill a need on the team; this was one of the reasons Bob Murray said he went after R2 and he was willing to trade Miller for R2. If Miller fits in better with Tampa than the Ducks, then good for him, and if R2 fulfills his role on the Ducks both teams should benefit. But to say Anaheim needs to learn something about Miller is just showing your bias.

[Todrick]

Well, I'm not sure what lessons the Ducks should have learned that Tampa has. The Ducks were willing to give up a marginal player to get another marginal player, but one with some size to fill a need on the team; this was one of the reasons Bob Murray said he went after R2 and he was willing to trade Miller for R2. If Miller fits in better with Tampa than the Ducks, then good for him, and if R2 fulfills his role on the Ducks both teams should benefit. But to say Anaheim needs to learn something about Miller is just showing your bias.

And?

This is a thread about Drew Miller, started by me.

What did you expect?

That aside, If Drew is in fact proving to Tampa that he belongs in the NHL... Wouldn't that be Tampa learning something the Ducks never did?

Seems like the case to me....

remember Drew was sent down at one point because the Ducks signed Brandon Bochenski... Tampa has already been smarter than that by choosing Miller over Bochenski, out of camp.

[Just Duckie]

That aside, If Drew is in fact proving to Tampa that he belongs in the NHL... Wouldn't that be Tampa learning something the Ducks never did?

What? It only proves IF he sticks with Tampa that he fulfills a need on their team that he didn't with the Ducks. It's as simple as that. They are two different teams with different needs. Players get traded all the time because they didn't fit on a team, and get traded for a player that the team thinks fulfills their needs better. That doesn't mean that one team is learning something that the team that traded the player didn't. It's illogical to make a conclusion like that.

Maybe you should become a GM of the Ducks since you seem to know what the team needs more than Bob Murray, either that or Drew's personal PR man. Because there doesn't seem to be much difference.

Seems like the case to me..

That's about right.

remember Drew was sent down at one point because the Ducks signed Brandon Bochenski... Tampa has already been smarter than that by choosing Miller over Bochenski, out of camp.

And since you seem to put so much value in the statistical significance of small sample sizes, the Ducks must smarter than Tampa because R2 has more goals and more points than Drew has this season, and R2 is a +2. Afterall, it's been all of three games for R2 and two for Drew.

[MrsBevo]

Just as with any writing source, it helps to know the bias of the writer. Todrick is clearly biased towards Drew, and rightfully so based on his family's experience with him.

It will be interesting to see how things end up for Drew. Thus far, he seems to be a better fit in Tampa because of that organization's needs. The reality is that some teams are just a better fit than others for players. Rob Niedermayer was not exactly loved in Calgary but he managed to find his niche in Anaheim. And there have been other players who have been in Anaheim and found their niche elsewhere. Different systems, different expectations, different roles. There are lots of factors. Brendan Morrison was historically a very good player, but he never really clicked in Anaheim. Now he seems to be doing just fine in Washington. You just never know.

In this case, Drew seems to be filling a need for Tampa and Artyukhin was perceived as being able to fill a need for Anaheim. If both flourish, so be it. At least Drew will now get the chance to play on a regular basis instead of bouncing between the NHL and the AHL, and therefore, will have an opportunity to finally show what he can do on a nightly basis, not just in spurts.

[Duckbill]

I think Todrick's main point is that Drew Miller is better than Bochenski and I find that very difficult to dispute. I'm not saying that sending him to Tampa for R2 was a bad move by the Ducks at all (it wasn't), but Miller certainly belongs in the NHL. I watched him play in the AHL last year live and it was pretty clear that he was superior to the other players around him.

[Todrick]

I think Todrick's main point is that Drew Miller is better than Bochenski and I find that very difficult to dispute. I'm not saying that sending him to Tampa for R2 was a bad move by the Ducks at all (it wasn't), but Miller certainly belongs in the NHL. I watched him play in the AHL last year live and it was pretty clear that he was superior to the other players around him.

THANK YOU.

I didn't think it was very complicated.

[Duckbill]

You should know by now Todrick that this board is filled with Bochenski fans still reeling from his departure.

[DropThePuck]

The odds of left wing Drew Miller scoring on his brother, goalie Ryan Miller, tonight when the Lightning host the Buffalo Sabres aren't great.

But if he does?

"I'll be one up on him," Drew Miller said with a smile Friday. "It's exciting to play against him. I've done it once already, and no big chances in that game - just a couple of rebounds and jamming at him with my stick.

"Hopefully, (tonight) will change and I'll get a couple of good shots on him and try to get one by him."

Drew Miller, whom Tampa Bay acquired from Anaheim in August, doesn't have a point through eight games.

<link>

[DropThePuck]

Wing Drew Miller, left, age 6, and goalie Ryan, 10, in October 1990. “They were rink rats,” their father, Dean, says.
[Photo courtesy of Miller family]

"It's nerve-racking around the house," Dean said. "It's hard to know who to pull for."

"Oh, God, I told Drew to kick his (butt)," Teresa said, laughing. "I'd love to see Drew score, but nobody else can."

<link>

[Todrick]

Drew Miller has been placed on Waivers by the Tampa Bay Lightning...



Please Murray, correct your mistake... Claim him.

[General:Moters]

Drew didn't quite get it done in Tampa - the Lightning placed him on waivers today. We could get him back for free - but I'm not sure there actually is a roster spot for him...

[TroyLoney]

Not a shock. Drew is a fringe NHL player at best and needs to be on the right team to even have a chance at regular ice time. He might fit in with Detroit, New Jersey or Phoenix but Tampa never seemed like a good place for him.

[Dark Knight]

Not a shock. Drew is a fringe NHL player at best and needs to be on the right team to even have a chance at regular ice time. He might fit in with Detroit, New Jersey or Phoenix but Tampa never seemed like a good place for him.

Wasn't he on the Lacavalier line in TB?

I'll bet he goes to Detroit, given their loss of forwards. He's a Michigan boy to boot. Best of luck to him.

[Todrick]

Wasn't he on the Lacavalier line in TB?

I'll bet he goes to Detroit, given their loss of forwards. He's a Michigan boy to boot. Best of luck to him.

not really.

Vinnie was demoted to the 3rd line.

Though out of everywhere they have tried to place vinnie, the line with Drew seemed ot have the best chemistry.

Gotta feel bad for vinnie...

BTW...

Drew better not end up in Detroit... I can not have a Detroit fan in my house.

[QuacksMeUp]

Drew better not end up in Detroit... I can not have a Detroit fan in my house.

I know a goalie up in New York that wouldn't mind having his brother there.

[Bits]

not really.

Vinnie was demoted to the 3rd line.

Though out of everywhere they have tried to place vinnie, the line with Drew seemed ot have the best chemistry.

Gotta feel bad for vinnie...

BTW...

Drew better not end up in Detroit... I can not have a Detroit fan in my house.

I feel for you.