The first major domino has fallen, and it’s the Buffalo Sabres making the first big pre-trade deadline deal on Friday night, dealing both Ryan Miller and Steve Ott to the St. Louis Blues.
“I just want to thank everybody in Buffalo,” said a choked up Miller while addressing the media after the announcement of the deal. “I’m very excited for an opportunity to have a new adventure, a new opportunity. I have a strong sense that they(St. Louis) have a very special team.”
Miller was unable to make it through the media session due to being overwhelmed with the emotions of the situation.
“It was a big honor to be captain of this team,” Ott said. “We (Ott and Miller) have kind of been prepared for this.”
Going back to Buffalo in the trades are goaltender Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, prospect William Carrier, a first-round draft pick in 2015 and a conditional third-round draft pick in 2016. The third round pick becomes a 2014 first should St. Louis either make it to the Western Conference Finals or re-sign Miller.
Halak is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and will likely hit the free agent market come July. However, there is talk that the Sabres will quickly turn him, or even Chris Steward, into another deal before Wednesday’s deadline.
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