Ryan Miller might make the walk from the Sabres dressing room to the First Niagara Center ice for the final time tonight. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

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 533rd start tonight against the San Jose Sharks.

Still, with the NHL trade deadline hitting Wednesday, Miller knows it could be his last game here. General manager Tim Murray has said the rebuilding Sabres are searching for a good place to deal their franchise netminder, an unrestricted free agent following the season.

So Miller, who’s usually thoughtful, couldn’t help himself. He got a little nostalgic Thursday during a nearly 10-minute chat with the media.

The 33-year-old didn’t want to miss an opportunity to thank everyone in Buffalo “who’s been a friend, been a supporter, been a fan.”

“I think everyone in Buffalo kind of knows how I feel about the city,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed the people. I’ve always enjoyed the city. Big love for the city in my heart.”

He talked about someone trying to teach him how to hold his hockey stick at Wegmans, fans concerned he should eat more and the “sweet old ladies” that would run up, hug him and “scare me half to death coming from the side.”

“Real nice to have a sweet old lady give you a hug and say she likes to watch you play,” Miller said.

He added: “It’s good that people care.”

Tonight promises to be one of the most emotional games inside the First Niagara Center in recent memory.

“You don’t do things on your own,” he said. “That collective energy from the city, people have to realize how much that makes a difference to us, to the players. It’s great place to play hockey. You feel a part of something. You feel appreciated.”

Miller knows an honest effort in this town earns “positive feedback from everyone.”

“That’s more than you can ask for,” he said. “There are cities out there when you’re invisible, you don’t have that same support. …

“I feel like I’m fortunate. I met some great people, some great fans. But again, we’ll see how everything plays out. I’m not going to close off any avenues.”

But Miller acknowledged again Thursday he’s likely leaving.

“I’m answering these questions because it seems likely given my status at the end of the year they’re likely to trade me, and that’s where we’re at,” he said. “If we had more time to see what moves they made before the trade deadline when it’s a logical business move, I could take all summer and we could see where everything shakes out.

“But it seems like it’s a risky proposal for both sides. Right now, it’s a business decision. It’s not really a personal thing. See where it goes.”

Based on comments from Blues general manager Doug Armstrong to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Miller likely won’t be headed to a team many believe covet him. Armstrong, whose Blues are built to win the Stanley Cup now, appears content to stick with goalie Jaroslav Halak.

“St. Louis has historically been a graveyard for goaltenders,” Armstrong told the paper. “I’m not being critical of the fans, but it doesn’t seem like they’re with who’s in net. Jaro doesn’t deserve to have the past put on him.”

Injuries have limited Halak to only two playoff starts with St. Louis.

“He hasn’t failed,” Armstrong said. “He’s going to have the opportunity to show what he’s capable of. That’s how it is in sports. Until you win, you can’t win.”

Miller, of course, isn’t the only high-profile Sabre who could be playing his last game tonight. Captain Steve Ott and winger Matt Moulson are also unrestricted free agents.

Ott’s usually open and talkative with the media. But he’s “completely done” talking about his future for now.

“I can only control what I can control,” he said politely. “I have a bunch of teammates here. I don’t want any distractions here on myself, personally, or anything else. I’ve given all the answers I can possibly give.”

Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said the three veterans have handled the uncertainty professionally.

“Matty Moulson, he’s a quiet leader on our team and he’s doing a great job,” he said. “Steve Ott’s doing a great job for us. You can see the way Ryan Miller came back from the Olympics and the performance he did the first game.

“So all these guys maybe have excuses or reasons to say, ‘Hey, it’s a matter of time before we leave.’ No, they’re not doing that. They’re paying attention to what they have to do right now.”

Nolan said center Tyler Ennis, out Wednesday with “general body soreness,” could play tonight.

Ville Leino subbed for Ennis between Moulson and Drew Stafford in the 5-4 overtime win against Boston, the Sabres’ second straight triumph.

“Ville played OK,” Nolan said. “Tyler Ennis had that line really going. It’s tough to jump in.”

Nolan also said center Zenon Konopka (finger) should play.

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