The conditional draft pick the Buffalo Sabres received from the St. Louis Blues in the blockbuster Ryan Miller-Steve Ott trade won’t become this year’s first-rounder.
The Blues signed backup goalie Brian Elliott to a three-year extension today, effectively ending Miller’s short run with the club.
The Sabres will likely receive a 2016 third-round selection now.
Clearly, the Blues, a team built to win the Stanley Cup this season, weren’t going to re-sign Miller after their disappointing first-round exit. But today’s news more or less makes it official.
The conditional pick would’ve become a first-rounder if the Blues had reached the Western Conference final and Miller played 50 percent of the team’s minutes or if they re-signed him before their first-round pick was made.
The Blues plan to elevate 23-year-old goalie prospect Jake Allen to the NHL next season.
If the Blues trade Miller after their first-round pick this year, the Sabres will receive a 2016 second-rounder.
Where will Miller land in free agency? Stay tuned. The 33-year-old had an awful .897 save percentage during the playoffs and has lost value.
