Murray - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Leaving Blues for lowly Sabres wasn’t easy for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart

BUFFALO – They’re only human, you know. Leaving the St. Louis Blues, a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, for the rebuilding Sabres wasn’t easy at first for goalie Jaroslav Halak and winger Chris Stewart.

But the veterans, part of Friday’s blockbuster Ryan Miller-Steve Ott deal, have accepted they’re now playing for the NHL’s worst team, at least temporarily.

Rumors are swirling the Sabres will flip them before Wednesday’s trade deadline. Halak, an unrestricted free agent ... Read the full article

Ted Black insists Pat LaFontaine resigned from Sabres; Tim Murray wants to keep Ted Nolan

BUFFALO – Sabres president Ted Black understands Pat LaFontaine’s stunning resignation as president of hockey operations creates uncertainty for a team that had finally seemed to stabilize itself.

“It’s something that fans are going to be upset by,” Black said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center, a day after LaFontaine abruptly bolted from the organization after less than four months.

Still, Black said, LaFontaine was only one person.

“I don’t know if it impacts ... Read the full article

Stunner: Pat LaFontaine resigns from Sabres

BUFFALO – In a stunning development, Sabres legend Pat LaFontaine, the team’s president of hockey operations less than four months, resigned today.

LaFontaine will return to the job he had with the NHL.

According to TVA’s Renaud Lavoie, the last straw for LaFontaine was Friday’s blockbuster deal in which the Sabres sent Ryan Miller to the St. Louis Blues.

LaFontaine wanted to give the 33-year-old Miller an extension. New general manager Tim Murray, who LaFontaine ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect William Carrier possesses size and skill

BUFFALO – Goalie Jaroslav Halak and winger Chris Stewart, the established NHL players the Sabres received in Friday’s blockbuster Ryan Miller-Steve Ott trade with the St. Louis Blues, are relatively well known.

Halak has played 260 games and backstopped Montreal to the 2010 Eastern Conference final. Stewart has 115 goals, including a 28-score season in 2010-11.

But what about 6-foot-2, 196-pound forward William Carrier, the 19-year-old prospect the Sabres also received? The Blues selected ... Read the full article

Sabres trade goalie Ryan Miller, captain Steve Ott to Blues

BUFFALO – Ryan Miller had almost a year to prepare for a trade. Still, the moment hit him hard. When the Sabres dealt the franchise goalie and captain Steve Ott to the St. Louis Blues on Friday night, emotion overwhelmed Miller.

“It just kind of hits you all at once,” Miller said as he broke down inside a packed First Niagara Center media room.

Then Miller, a former Vezina Trophy winner and the face of ... Read the full article

Sabres trade goalie Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott to Blues

BUFFALO – The Sabres’ trade with the St. Louis Blues is official: goalie Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott are gone.

In return, the Sabres acquired goalie Jaroslav Halak, forwards Chris Stewart and William Carrier, a first-round pick in 2015 and another conditional pick.

Miller and Ott will talk to the media during the first intermission tonight. General manager Tim Murray will speak after the second period.

Update: Here are some quotes from an emotional ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller focusing on what could be last start in Buffalo

BUFFALO – Ryan Miller knows most NHL cities can’t offer what this one has for 11 seasons. The Sabres goalie hasn’t just played for a team; he’s felt a part of something special in the community.

But right now isn’t the time to reflect, Miller said Thursday. He’s still with the Sabres. The former Vezina Trophy winner wants to focus on his 533^rd start tonight against the San Jose Sharks.

Still, with the NHL ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller appreciative of fans and support from Buffalo over career

BUFFALO – Right now isn’t the time to look back, Ryan Miller said. The franchise goalie is playing Friday, his 533^rd start with the Sabres.

Still, the 33-year-old, who’s usually thoughtful, couldn’t help himself during a nearly 10-minute chat with the media this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

With the NHL trade deadline just six days away, Miller knows Friday could be his last game here.

“It’s kind played out for a little ... Read the full article

GM Tim Murray looking to trade Ryan Miller, goalie understands long Sabres career might end soon

BUFFALO – The Sabres could still realistically re-sign franchise goalie Ryan Miller, rookie general manager Tim Murray said. That, however, isn’t “the route we’re looking at right now.”

“Our priority right now on both sides is to pursue a proper trade,” Murray said Tuesday in a brutally honest interview prior to Miller’s 36-save performance in the Sabres’ 3-2 win against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The trade deadline hits one week from today. Murray sounds ready ... Read the full article

Sabres GM Tim Murray trying to trade goalie Ryan Miller, ‘put him in a position to succeed’

BUFFALO – It’s still realistic the Sabres could re-sign franchise goalie Ryan Miller, general manager Tim Murray said. That, however, isn’t “the route we’re looking at right now.”

“We’re looking … to get value for him, to put him in a position to succeed,” Murray, a rookie GM, said tonight inside the First Niagara Center.

The trade deadline’s just eight days away and the rebuilding Sabres, the NHL’s worst team, are looking to deal.

Here ... Read the full article