The deal: Buffalo trades Ryan Miller and Steve Ott to the St. Louis Blues for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, prospect William Carrier, a 2015 first-round pick and a 2016 third-round pick.
The money:
Miller: $6.250 million cap hit, deal expires July 2014
Ott: $2.950 million cap hit, deal expires July 2014
Halak: $3.750 million cap hit, deal expires July 2014
Stewart: $4.150 million cap hit, deal expires July 2015
What the Blues are thinking: The Blues sit atop the Central division and are legitimate Cup contenders — but there were question marks around whether they could ride Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott in goal. Last year’s disappointing first-round departure from the playoffs was definitely on general manager Doug Armstrong’s mind when he made this deal. Steve Ott is a veteran centre who adds depth up the middle. Both players are unrestricted free agents in July. St. Louis will look to lock Miller down. With Elliott’s contract also expiring, it’s likely he’ll wind up elsewhere — making room for prospect Jake Allen.
What the Sabres are thinking: Ryan Miller was the biggest name on the market coming up to the NHL Trade Deadline next Wednesday. There were a few teams in the hunt for the star goaltender and St. Louis was expected to be at the front of the line. Buffalo sent its captain and marquee goalie to St. Louis knowing they wouldn’t be able to re-sign either in the off-season. With this deal the Sabres pick up a solid veteran goalie in Halak to carry through the end of this miserable season — his contract is also up in July. Buffalo also gets a solid forward in Chris Stewart with a contract that expires in a year, but the real deal for the Sabres is in the draft picks as the team looks to build for the future.
Fantasy Implications: Miller will get some wins to go along with his fantastic save percentage. Halak will win less.
Who wins this deal now: The Blues win now — the future will depend on whether they re-sign Miller in the off-season, which will likely depend on how the next couple of months in St. Louis go. Best-case scenario, they’re hoisting the Cup.
Who wins this deal later: It depends on what becomes of Carrier and the two draft picks. This deal was the best situation the Sabres could get but they have a long road ahead.
Overall: An important move for St. Louis as they look to go far in the playoffs. An inevitable one for the last-place Sabres.
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