Nevermind 363 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 I've always sort of compared these two players in terms of their roles on the team, so I was wondering if others do the same. It appears that Eaves may be scratched tomorrow night if Datsyuk returns. Though Miller is a great penalty killer, I like Eaves' 5 on 5 play better. He's a bit bigger, more physical, has a good shot, can be used on the power play, and is one of only three righties on the team right now (Glendening and Alfredsson being the others). I think Eaves brings more enthusiasm and energy to the forecheck as well. In the long term, who would you guys rather have in the lineup? It's also worth noting that we have Andersson on the wing right now. I wouldn't exempt him from sitting a game here and there, but Babcock seems to really like him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmyemeryhunter 2,747 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) Eaves. For all the reasons you said, good 5on5, right handed shot, still a great pk-er, better forechecker, awesome shot if/when he uses it. But most importantly IMO, He's much faster. I think the red wings would've chosen him over miller if patty hadn't had the string of injuries and concussion. Edited February 5, 2014 by jimmyemeryhunter Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 I have always liked Eaves more. Unfortunately, not being healthy has hampered his ability to consistently be in the lineup like Miller. I think it is redundant to have both with a logjam at forward, but Eaves brings more to the team overall. I would keep both Miller and Eaves over Andersson, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 Eaves just for the shootout if nothing else Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stillwater 186 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 I had no idea they were different people. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number9 3,297 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 Well Miller still has a contract next year, so looks like we get him regardless. And Eaves is waiverable 2 sjr2012 and wingedominance13 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BadgerBob 297 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 Eaves for all the reasons above. He's more fun to watch in my opinion. Plus Miller's trash talk is just awful. 2 Hockeymom1960 and Detroit \# 1 Fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 Gotta go with Miller for his body of work and reliability with the Wings. He's been flat-out our best penalty killer for years. Eaves is eligible for waivers now and I don't think he would clear at this time if exposed. Besides, lots up players raise their game in their contract year. Miller has been consistent for years. 1 Dabura reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joesuffP 1,746 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 It's almost a wash. Both good PKers but I'd give the edge to Miller. I don't know exact stats but Miller looks a bit heavier. Eaves is quicker, more offense and a right handed shot. I like both of them but I'd prefer Eaves to stay. Come playoff time I can see Eaves throwing his body around and being a force like he was against Chicago. Miller is safe and reliable but not a lot of edge Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nosyt612 103 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 I've never been that impressed with Eaves. I like how consistent Miller is; he is a great pk'er and can be really effective on the boards keeping the puck in the other teams end when the fourth line is out there. 2 esteef and Cloune reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Son of a Wing 1,644 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 It's almost a wash. Both good PKers but I'd give the edge to Miller. I don't know exact stats but Miller looks a bit heavier. Eaves is quicker, more offense and a right handed shot. I like both of them but I'd prefer Eaves to stay. Come playoff time I can see Eaves throwing his body around and being a force like he was against Chicago. Miller is safe and reliable but not a lot of edge I feel this is a big misconception just because he has played the point on the powerplay. The difference is negligible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joesuffP 1,746 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 I feel this is a big misconception just because he has played the point on the powerplay. The difference is negligible. Well Miller has played a lot more games than Eaves. To me he looks like an offensive threat out there more so than Miller. I just think of his game against Chicago and to me I think he can put a playoff run together at that level. He has all the tools Why not keep both though? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stillwater 186 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 I just think of his game against Chicago and to me I think he can put a playoff run together at that level. How about we start with back-to-back games like that before we dream about a playoff run. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Playmaker Report post Posted February 5, 2014 I think one of the more overlooked bonehead moves that Holland made over the summer was signing Miller to a long term deal. With the roster and cap issues we had, it made no sense. We already had Eaves under contract this year and for cheap. I like Miller just fine and I wouldn't mind having both of them if the cap/roster allowed, but re-signing him to a long term deal just didn't make sense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 Eaves for all the reasons above. He's more fun to watch in my opinion. Plus Miller's trash talk is just awful. "Don't do stupid s***" "Go die your hair" :lol: I could watch the video of Martin chirping Miller all day haha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martinezsvsu 240 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 miller only because hes great on the pk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 Ah, things are getting back to normal now. Age old arguments are re-emerging. Feels good, doesn't it? I still can't choose between them. Miller is of course steady. He's a great 4th liner and has a few big games each year. Eaves has had some injury problems recently which has hampered his play a bit. Eaves, on paper, has more skill, but he doesn't always show up on the score sheet as often as he should. A few years back they were both invaluable. Now, I think Miller might have the edge, but it might only be because Eaves is still getting into the groove of playing with the big club again. Man, it's been a weird year. 2 Son of a Wing and Detroit \# 1 Fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropkickshanahans 463 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 Well Miller has played a lot more games than Eaves. To me he looks like an offensive threat out there more so than Miller. I just think of his game against Chicago and to me I think he can put a playoff run together at that level. He has all the tools Why not keep both though? I don't know, looking at their numbers they've been pretty even, and even this season Eaves is on pace for about the same as what Miller is at right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dirtydangles 1,328 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 Miller. Ferraro/Callahan will take 4th line RW next season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DickieDunn 2,571 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 Miller. Ferraro/Callahan will take 4th line RW next season. Ferraro will be lucky if he's the 14th forward and Callahan will be a reserve. Either Sheahan or Andersson will be 4C and the other or Abdelkader will be the other wing with Miller. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeymom1960 5,107 Report post Posted February 5, 2014 Eaves = and you can't beat that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshy207 156 Report post Posted February 6, 2014 I like both Eaves and Miller. I like them more together than separately, and I always thought they play their best when they're with Helm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcom007 1,465 Report post Posted February 6, 2014 Eaves, any day. I like Miller a lot, and I'd rather see both in the lineup at their price points. I'd like to see more money spent on top line guys that will actually play, contribute and make players around them better, and less spent on the mid-level guys that don't produce much more than guys like Eaves and Miller, are possibly more one-dimensional, or the latest trend, aren't even good enough to crack the lineup. We used to be good at getting top end talent and getting a lot out of our cheap talent like Eaves and Miller. Our cheaper guys played more like mid-level guys, and again, still oftentimes do. But the last few years, we continue to sign mid-level guys that just don't contribute enough to justify their price tags let alone their roster spots in some cases. It's a practice that really needs to stop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcom007 1,465 Report post Posted February 6, 2014 Let's also not forget that Eaves has a great attitude and work ethic and comes from a good hockey family. He's also got a lot more skill than many realize. If not for injuries and a wildly inconsistent role, I think he'd likely have more impressive offensive numbers at this point than he does. I hope we trim some of the mid-level fat this summer and keep Eaves with this team, and in a way that will allow him to have a consistent role if he's healthy. If he sticks around and stays healthy, I think he'll surprise a lot of people the next couple of years. But again, I don't say any of this to take away from Miller. I like Miller a lot at his price point and I'd absolutely be doing all I can to keep those guys Red Wings for the long haul. They're both really solid role players at great price points that stand to be important parts of this team for some time to come. 1 Hockeymom1960 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thegerkin 189 Report post Posted February 6, 2014 Loved Eaves in Ottawa and love him here. They both joined the team at the same time in 2009/10. However, Miller is so key to our PK. Patty has the offensive upside, but Miller has a much better defensive game. Injury history doesn't help Eaves case any either. I'd like to keep both, but if I have to choose, I would keep Miller. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites