Ryan Miller's Future
However, we've heard this last year as well. Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reported the same thing in March of 2013, but Miller is still here. So what makes Garrioch's report any more accurate?
We've talked a ton about Miller and what he will end up doing, but the trade talks have heated up again, which is expected. Still, the Sabres' goaltender hasn't gave anyone a straight answer either way.
"It’s up to them how they want to handle it," Miller said. "Either way, I’m fine. I’m professional. I’ll go out and do my job. I’m just trying to use these next few weeks to kind of see where we’re at with things but also play some hockey. I need to keep myself in a good place and probably have some games ahead of me where I got to work in and push to have a starting job over in Sochi.…
Of course Miller is focusing on doing whatever he can to get the starting job for the Olympics. There isn't going to be much time between the end of the Olympics and the trade deadline, so this next week or so could be big for many teams.
Building around a goaltender
“You look at all the championship teams and it starts from goaltending out. ... I prefer you build around him rather than use him as a pawn to try and get something to make you better,… Nolan said. “You learn to deal with the now as a coach and we’ve got one of the better goaltenders in the world here and I’d like to build around him myself.…
With all of the recent rumors going around, it seems like a different situation now, and for good reason. There are teams interested in Miller, and they can offer the Sabres a solid trade. Buffalo could get a very good return for him, so if the price is right, you have to pull the trigger. Even if you want to build around him and keep him here, if you get the right offer, don't pass it up.
I have to agree with Nolan that the Sabres have one of the best goaltenders in the world, and I'd really like to see him stay here. At the same time, this team isn't going anywhere in the near future. I don't expect Buffalo to be a playoff contender in the next couple of seasons, and for a team going in an all-out rebuild, they really shouldn't be.
With that in mind, trading Miller (perhaps in a package) is the best option. Miller's had a frustrating time here with the lack of defense in front of him and he would excel with almost any other team. For his sake, I'd like to see Miller get moved.
Possible destinations?
IF Miller does end up getting traded, does Jhonas Enroth become the starter or do they get another goaltender in return? Whether or not Enroth is ready to be a starter is a whole new discussion. Jaroslav Halak or Jonas Hiller wouldn't be terrible to get in return.
Regardless of what ends up happening, what are you hoping for? Do you want to see a trade happen to get some young prospects/picks here or should they make him "un-tradeable"?
As always, thank you for reading!