stevkrause

Miller is a proven player at the NHL level (not a star, but clearly belongs) with years under his belt that has played on crap teams and finally has a chance with a legit team and a system he works well in - Leino has proven nothing... and one could easily argue the success at the beginning of the year on that line was 100% Fil and Williams (it wouldn't be 100% true, but one could make the argument) and that they'd been better off with someone who could keep up with them... and I would... Contract means nothing - the difference is who will compete and give the team a best chance to win and that is miller - that's the difference. Finally, I'd HARDLY call 2G, 1A and a -2 on fire... those are Leino's numbers in the first 10 games... and just because the line was playing well, doesn't mean it had anything to do with Leino, once again, I would LOVE to see Miller with those two and compare a 10 game stretch... I'd bet dollars to donuts that they'll not only have at least equal points, but one hell of a better +/-

and that was because of the play of Fil and Willy - I guarantee they'll be even better with Miller, especially since he'll be able to keep up with them... You need to let go...

GOD DAMN YOU MMAMOLO!!!! See the thread about Holmstrom...

ok, this is a joke right?

I disagree... Williams is a 3rd/2nd line player with speed and a good shot, but lacks finishing ability playing a 3rd/2nd line role Leino is a 1st/2nd line player with great hands and a good eye for the ice, but stone for feet that would essentially be playing a 3rd/4th line role... Not the same at all... also, at the beginning of the year, we didn't have an active and gelled Miller and Eaves in the system that have earned the time over him and have JUST as much upside...

rookie is a subjective word in this case - already 25, spent years in SM-Liga and was voted a league MVP and REFUSED a 2 way contract coming into this year - with that build up, you better produce quickly... lets not pretend like he's a 19 year old kid coming out of juniors and expected to put up major numbers

Yes. What do you think Williams is????

well unfortunately, by 25, most guys body structure is pretty much what they will be barring some MAJOR changes (steroids, getting fat, etc) and the guy is an NHL'er with an amazing work ethic, so I highly doubt he hasn't hit the weights hard up to this point... he is just probably never going to be a guy able to put on bulk... I'd be happy with 185 from him...

and THIS is why I disagree with continuing the Leino experiment - all reasons stated above.

that's just because you don't want to have to change your user name/avatar, haha no but seriously, I'd be majorly bummed if they let him go too, I think he could be a solid piece in this organization for years to come and love his game...

as I said previously... if he put more time in GR, I'd be more inclined to believe that... Otherwise - I disagree.

I'd love to - I REALLY hope you're right and want him here, but that's a bold prediction with no source cited...

May keeps teams honest, something our skill players (and Zetterberg's back) need and the fact that he is a strong forechecker and not just a goon, but a solid hockey player otherwise, just adds to his value... plus the fact that he is a GREAT team/locker room guy... Also, it's not always just about the future, but the present as well...

look at his brother Ryan - some guys are just naturally lanky... he plays strong, so I wouldn't focus on his weight too much, but I agree... it would be nice if he was towing around a 210lb frame to go with that speed...

exactly... and it wasn't even close either... he was MAYBE GR's 6th or 7th best player last year...

You could easily argue that Abdelkader, Ericsson, Howard and Larsson and Haydar, McGrath and Pare were all bigger impact players last year on GR... so to call him their best is a FAR stretch... and by the way - Ritola had almost as good of a year in GR as Leino last year... and is 3.5 years younger....

which is a bummer in some aspects, because he has looked great this year, but he is still young and could really thrive by playing 20+ mins a night in GR playing 1st line, 1st PP, 1st PK and all situational moments too (last minute down by one, or up by one, shootouts, 5-3's both ways, etc...)

It's not just a call-up, it's two solid camps in a row and years of developing properly in GR

he technically is exempt as of now, but it's really a moot point, because he's been one of our best players night in and night out and the team has already said flat out that he has played his last game as a Griffin.

It doesn't matter - neither Franzen nor Kronwall will be back by then... Janik/Meech/Ledba will be dealt with to make room for Ericsson in a couple weeks and Abdelkader/Leino/Miller/May will be dealt with to make room for Williams at the end of the month (if he is even back then) When it would have come time to make that decision, he will not be, so you're making an invalid argument - and once again... THEY HAVE ALREADY SAID - HE WILL NOT BEING GOING DOWN THIS YEAR and nor should he if you've watched the way he's played... why the hell would you even want him to?????

His upside is also one of the only trade-able assets we have to get something in return instead of losing someone for nothing... as someone else said, with Ritola showing a VERY strong camp 2 years in a row, including his stint here this year, I think Leino is expendable... that's just me though... Also, May cannot be judged by points... his intangibles are priceless...

NO. THEY. CAN. NOT - He will not be waiver exempt in 11 games... baring a *knock on wood* injury - that will be the end of this month.

me too - source please if you're going to make such a lofty announcement.

So we basically see eye to eye, it's just a personal preference of who we'd rather lose if we have to, Miller or Leino... for me, it's Leino - but you make valid points.

If he was willing to spend more time in GR and develop, then, yes I'd be willing to take a shot at him, even if it just meant sending him down to get his confidence up, but the fact that he expects to get top 6 minutes here, refuses to go down and does not play like a top 6 player when he's in - no - I do not think we should suffer through the growing pains because he's too stubborn to admit he isn't ready yet...