Miller: A buy-in to Buffalo
Ryan Miller certainly left money on the table by not entering free agency next summer but wasn't all that interested in exploring the open market. That was one big point of today's press conference to officially announce Miller's five-year, $31.25-million extension. There wasn't much new ground broken from what Miller told me Friday.
Larry Quinn said after the season ended in April that the Sabres were interested in exploring a long-term deal. Miller said negotiations quickly progressed once they began on July 1 and he was fully committed to the Sabres in part because of the commitment they've shown to their young players.
"It was a difficult season for us but I got the sense they felt like I put a lot of effort into it and I could still be a franchise player, Miller said.
Added GM Darcy Regier: "This is another chapter along the way to what we hope and expect to be a championship for Ryan and this group of players. It's a very good time for the Sabres. When you look back a year ago to all the [personnel] losses, we also knew this day would come. We're in a good place."
---Mike Harrington
