The NHL trade deadline is eight days away. As players return back from Sochi and prepare to kick off the second -half of the season, team front offices are attempting to make last-minute moves to help for a playoff push. The Buffalo Sabres returned to practice on Monday following the Olympics break, but goalie Ryan Miller was a no-show. While he was reportedly still traveling back from Sochi, it could be a sign of things to come.
According to ESPN.com, Sabres general manager Tim Murray still has plans to shop Miller to any team before the upcoming deadline. Sources say Murray is pushing hard for a deal and remains hopeful one team will bite on the goalie. While Miller is easily the best player in Buffalo (NHL and NFL), he is entering the final year of his contract and will be able to become an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. Sources say if a trade is not completed, the team will consider re-signing the goalie if need be.
Interim head coach Ted Nolan is well-aware of what Miller brings to the ice and just how irreplaceable he truly is.
"I think that's the key right there, not knowing," Nolan said via ESPN.com. "We can't worry about who might be gone, who might be coming in. Today is the day we have to work with what we've got. And tomorrow, whatever we've got here, then we'll work with that, too. My thoughts don't really count right now. Certainly, what Ryan Miller means to this team and this town, no question you'd like to keep him. But it's business. And we have to look forward to rebuilding this organization."
Miller currently holds the franchise records for wins and games played after 11 seasons with the franchise. His .923 save percentage ranks him seventh in the league amongst goalies with 30 or more starts. He has won the NHL Vezina Trophy in 2010 and was also the MVP in the Vancouver Olympic Games after the USA won silver.
So who could be interested in trying to acquire Miller? The St. Louis Blues appear to be the first team. They have been rumored to have interest for some time, but the team currently carries three goalies on the roster. A trade for Miller could be what carries the Blues to the Stanley Cuper, but what is he worth giving up if the goalie is simply a short-term hire? Teams like the Minnesota Wild or the Washington Capitals could be last-minute contenders for a deal.
