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.

At least that’s what NBC Sports hockey analyst Jeremy Roenick believes (see above video). And he’s not alone. There are many in the hockey world wondering when Buffalo Sabres management will do something to shake up the struggling club.

The Sabres hit a new low this season Monday night in a 5-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Franchise goalie Ryan Miller was pulled from the game in the second period after allowing all five goals on just 14 shots.

Miller wasn’t the only one to blame, though. The defense was soft and sloppy. The forwards could produce any offense.

But according to Miller’s much publicized rant (see video below) after the loss, a trade won’t help the club’s fortunes as much as he and his teammates can.

Scott Burnside of ESPN agrees. The Sabres could try to add players to their roster to perhaps give them a spark. They could also start dumping some of their underachievers — but they’d be selling low at this point with some many of their players having terrible seasons.

Still ESPN’s Pierre Lebrun reported recently that Sabres general manager Darcy Regier has been working the phones in an attempt to find a deal to better his roster.

[A trade] will be the next move for the Buffalo Sabres if Darcy Regier has his way. I’ve talked to other teams around the league over the last week. Regier is doing his homework. He’s talking trade with teams. What he’d like to do is move a top 6 forward in return for a top 6 forward. Easier said than done. Drew Stafford, Derek Roy, Brad Boyes – those are names that I’ve been told are in play for the Buffalo Sabres. Not every team in the league is going to want to move a top 6 for a top 6, but that’s what he’s trying to do.

Buffalo Sabres forward Drew Stafford. Photo courtesy nhlpa.com.

David Staples of the Edmonton Journal suggests that the Edmonton Oilers should investigate trading for forward Drew Stafford.

Doing nothing is also a possibility, one that may suit Sabres owner Terry Pegula just fine.

My attitude now is, ‘Let’s put Humpty [Dumpty] back together again.’ I want our players to know that I thought we had a pretty good hockey team until all this happened. Let’s paste it back together and start a new season.

Pegula may have a point. But if the Sabres have any intentions of saving this season something will have to give — and sooner rather later.