If you had to choose between Miller or Hasek, which one would you want on your team? Let's say both goalies came into the league at the same time, which one would you sign?
As a 21-year-old I don't remember watching Hasek as much as Miller, but I do recall "The Dominator" being an elite goaltender. The 1999 Stanley Cup Finals was when I really watched him excel, but we're not going to talk about that.
Here's a look at what Hasek has done:
The 1993-'94 season was the first big year that Hasek had as a member of the Sabres. He was 29 and recorded 30 wins in 58 games, while posting a 1.95 goals against. A few years later "The Dominator" found his stride.
From 1996 to the end of the 1999 season, Hasek earned 100 wins. He had 30,33, and 37 win seasons during that time. In the '98-'99 season, Hasek posted a career best 1.87 goals against, taking the Sabres all the way to the finals.
Hasek battled groin injuries, but came back in 2000 to earn 37 wins for Buffalo. When he was traded to the Red Wings, Hasek's success continued. He won 41 out of 65 games for Detroit in his first season.
After being traded to Ottawa and back, Hasek had 38 and 27 win season before retiring. Hasek won the cup in the 2001-'02 season with Detroit. Back in 1998, he helped the Czech Republic win the gold medal in the Olympics by going 5-1 and allowing six goals.
Now, here's what Miller has done so far:
The 2005-'06 season was Miller's first big season, who was 26 at the time. Miller recorded 30 wins in 48 games and posted a 2.60 goals against. A year later, Miller hit 40 wins in 63 games, leading the Sabres to a President's Trophy.
Miller then had 34 and 36 win seasons, one in which he faced over 2,000 shots, the most of his career. So far, Miller has 36 wins this season with 11 games to go and a career low 2.20 goals against.
Plus, we all know what Miller did in the 2010 Olympics. He allowed eight goals in six games, leading the United States to a silver medal.
Hasek averaged a .922 save percentage and a 2.20 goals against over his entire NHL career. So far, Miller has averaged a .914 save percentage and a 2.57 goals against.
Perhaps these number are a bit different due to the defense of the teams that Hasek was on. Playing for Detroit would obviously benefit any goaltender with the defense that they have had over the years.
However you want to look at it, they are both superb goaltenders. Do you think it is a coincidence that Miller wanted to wear #39 for the Sabres?
So, will Miller be better than Hasek? Let's hear what you think.
Kevin "robs him blind" Freiheit
Hasek.. hands down. He owned the Sabres. Miller is good but Hasek was just plain better. Miller wanted 39 when he came to the Sabres because up to that point it was the number he always wore.
Hasek was one of the all time greats, his Sabre teams weren't very good and he single-handedly carried them and his national team to heights they would have never seen without him.
Hasek, easily. Miller is great, but that 8-year run (6 Vezinas, 2 Harts) from Hasek is unparalleled in the modern game. If NHL coaches and GMs weren't so scared of his unorthodox style and his non-North-American citizenship, and he had gotten his big break in the mid-late eighties instead of 1993, there's no doubt in my mind he would be the consensus pick for greatest goaltender of all time.
Hasek is arguably the best goalie of all time. Miller is having a great year but the Dominator did it for many years.
Hasak- ask this question in 4 years.. we all may have a different answer
hasek. why even ask that question? hasek was great for years. miller is having his first great year. hasek is the greatest goalie ever in my opinion
Ask this again in 5 years. It will be Miller. Ask again in 10. People will just laugh. It will be Miller.
He wanted to wear 39 beause it was his number at Michigan, not because it was Gaseks number
that would be an H not a G
Great Blog! Id have to take Hasek...for now. He did more with the Sabres with even less than Miller is working with here. However like you I am too young to remember too much about Haseks time with the Sabres and this answer could change to Miller in a few years. One correction is Hasek signed with the Sens, not traded.
Apples and Oranges. Miller does it with positioning and technical skills. Hasek did it with athletic ability. In the end I agree it's too early to tell. Thank God we can argue about this. Most teams are arguing players like Boucher and Emery hehehe
It's too early to tell at this point. Hasek is a HOF goalie, probably one of the best of all-time; definitely the best of the modern era. Miller is solid, but I don't think he will ever be in Hasek's league. I hope I am wrong, time will tell.
How retarded is this. Comparing a goalie having a breakout year to the best of all time. When all is said and done, let's see how many Hart Trophies Miller wins, ok? I know you're only 21 years old, but listen, so am I. I can remember the dominance of Hasek like it was yesterday, and Miller is not in the same realm.