Miller, Flyers, Smith, Hossa, and the Blues

On rumors that he may become an unrestricted free agent July 2009 so he can play for the Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller tells George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press that while an enticing proposition, he’d like to remain right where he is.

“You know, my home state would be a nice opportunity but honestly, Buffalo’s been great to me,” Miller said. “I have a lot of fun here. We have a young core of guys. As far as I know, you guys got Hasek and (Chris) Osgood. I’m settled here and happy here.”

“I’d like to stay. I’d like the opportunity to keep building here. Who knows how hockey careers go?”

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While the Philadelphia Flyers went hard after defensemen Dan Boyle of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Brian Campbell of the Buffalo Sabres to fill their need for a puck-moving blueliner, team president Peter Luukko tells Ed Moran of the Philadelphia Daily News that it may be a good thing.

“Sometimes,” Luukko said, “the best deal you make is the one you don’t make.”

The Flyers appear to be content with not having dealt their young talent at the trade deadline, like forward Jeff Carter.

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Meanwhile, Moran reports that the Flyers may not offer a contract to pending UFA defenseman Jason Smith.

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Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Dave Molinari reports that Pittsburgh Penguins pending unrestricted free agent forward Marian Hossa will “be entitled to have a no-trade clause in his next contract.”

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According to Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, the St. Louis Blues are in dire need of a front-line center.