I'm watching the Oilers and Sabres from Edmonton right now, and I feel like passing along a question that Rogers SportsNet color man Ray Ferraro just asked on the broadcast: Why isn't Sabres goalie Ryan Miller on the U.S. Olympic team?
I don't care who Team USA drops to the taxi squad -- with the way that John Grahame, Robert Esche and Rick DiPietro are stinking up the joint any one would do -- GM Don Waddell and head coach Peter Laviolette need to find a place for MIller on the Tornio squad.
Amen, amen, amen!
Here at BfloBlog, we have been asking that question for over a month. It seems Laviolette and Waddell decided on their goalies long before the season started.
The US pays for their arrogance.
The only way he’s coming is if one of those three guys are injured (i.e. you can’t arbitrarily move one of the named players to the taxi squad).
It’s really too bad that a) Miller had that injury and b) that the Olympic teams have to be named to so early. Change either of those factors, and he’s on the team. (He’ll be there in 2010 anyway.)
As the resident Michigan State apologist around these parts, I fully support Captain Off Wing’s Motion to Amend.
And yes–I still reflexively chant “Hobey, Hobey, Hobey” whenever I see Miller make a big save.
I agree with most everything that’s been said but rather than placing blame on USA Hockey, I think the timing of his injury in conjunction with the announcement of the team played a huge part. You can’t very well name a guy to the team who is currently in the midst of missing 6-8 weeks with a hand injury, can you?
And yeah, JR, that’s why you didn’t make the team either, if that’s what you want to tell yourself.
Team Canada named Rick Nash to the team, so the US brass could’ve, and should’ve, selected him after his incredible start to the season.
Disclaimer – I doubted the prudence of selecting Nash before his return. Good thing I’m not in charge
It was widely acknowledged that Miller would be back in plenty of time from a broken thumb. It’s not like it was a torn MCL.
And if being injured keeps you off the team, then how come Tkachuk made it?