- John Vogl: Sabres GM Tim Murray and Ryan Miller spoke about the about the upcoming trade deadline day.
“Our goal right now, I think on both sides, is to pursue a proper trade,” Murray said
“I know they’re kind of looking around for opportunity,” Miller said. “I think that’s probably best for everybody.”
Murray doesn’t plan on giving any of his UFAs (Miller, Steve Ott, Matt Moulson and Henrik Tallinder) offers before deadline day.
“The route we’re looking at is to get value for him, to put him in a position to succeed,” said Murray, who called the goaltender a “good soldier” during his 12 seasons in Buffalo. “Players that treat you right and have played well and hard for you over the years, you try to do what’s best for them, too, as long as it fits into what you’re doing.
“By trading Ryan to a contender, a good team that is maybe lacking only his position, I think that we’ve certainly not done a disservice to him and we’ve helped the organization in our own right.”
Murray has talked with more than two teams about Miller, and less than 10.
“There are enough really good teams, teams that consider themselves contenders, that are kicking around the idea of trading for a good goalie,” Murray said. “There’s a possibility that with more talks something concrete could happen.”
Murray has talked to seven or eight teams about 10 to 12 players.
“There’s been a lot of teams that expressed interest in other players, Steve Ott obviously being one that has generated a large interest,” said Murray, who seemed pained by the thought of getting rid of the hard-working captain. “Steve Ott is the type of player that I’ve looked for for 21 years in drafting. … That’s not the type of player I want to trade away. That’s the type of player that I want to bring in.
“Unfortunately, when I got here, he’s at his age and he’s an unrestricted free agent. … We’re not a playoff team, so that changes the dynamic, obviously.”
What the Sabres could get in return from deals they may make.
“A perfect world, if teams would give me two real good young players that are two years or so into their development, that would be outstanding,” Murray said, “but I don’t think teams are going to bend over backwards to make life easier for us.
“If it’s draft picks it’s draft picks, and then we’ll turn them into assets and players. But ideally young players that are a little bit along into their development would be great.”
- Buffalo News Audio: Tim Murray’s interview.
- John Vogl of the Buffalo News: Ryan Miller knows he’s likely going to be traded.
“The things that they’re going to have to do are probably going to come during the trade deadline, and maybe I’m one of them,” the Sabres goaltender said tonight after making 36 saves in a 3-2 victory over Carolina. “I don’t want to close anything off right now, but I know they’re kind of looking around for opportunity. I think that’s probably best for everybody.”
“I’m going to be 34 this year, and let’s be realistic,” he said. “There’s only a handful of guys who played effectively longer into their 30s. I’d like to be one of those, but there’s no guarantees.”