SportsNet as well as Andy Strickland of The Fan 590 St. Louis are reporting that Buffalo Sabres goalie has become disenchanted with the franchise and would waive his no-trade clause for a trade to the Chicago Blackhawks.
According to Strickland, Miller’s first priority is to play for the Anaheim Ducks or Los Angeles Kings so he could be closer to his actress wife Noureen DeWulf. However, he wouldn’t be opposed to playing for other teams, preferably Stanley Cup contenders, such as the Blackhawks.
That may be good news for the struggling Blackhawks, who are in dire need of some goaltending help. Current netminders Corey Crawford and Ray Emery have combined for the fourth worst goals against average in the NHL with 3.00.
Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane. Photo courtesy Flickr user bridgetds.
NBC analyst and former Blackhawk forward Jeremy Roenick said earlier this week that Chicago “can afford” to trade All-Star forward Patrick Kane to get a true number one goaltender. And what better team for Kane to get traded to than his hometown Sabres?
Everybody knows I am a huge Patrick Kane fan, but when you’re talking something of this nature, is Patrick Kane dealable? As much as I don’t want to say it, they can afford to get rid of Patrick Kane. They can afford to — with the season he’s having — maybe with his off-ice reputation, maybe with the skill they have on their team — it’s doable.
Do I like it? No, because I love Patrick Kane. He is one of the most talented and one of the best players in the NHL. But if you really want a top-end goaltender you’re going to have to give up somebody.
Toronto’s FAN 590′s HockeyCentral panel of Nick Kypreos and Doug MacLean suggested that with Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp on the roster, the Blackhawks could indeed shop Kane for a top-notch goaltender.
TSN’s Darren Dreger is skeptical that a either team is interested in making a Miller-for-Kane trade, suggesting that the Blackhawks are not as desperate to acquire a goaltender as some make them out to be.
And that may be the case.
Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman told Chris Boden of CSNChicago that his main focus isn’t on getting a goaltender, but rather a top-four defenseman. Bowman went on to say that while he would listen to offers for Kane, it doesn’t mean he’s shopping the Buffalo native.
As for the Sabres, Strickland’s sources indicate that the club has not approached Miller about waiving his no-trade clause nor do they appear interested in moving their long-time goaltender.
