Ryan Miller: “I chose Buffalo”
Flanked by Managing General Partner Larry Quinn and General Manager Darcy Regier, an ebullient Ryan Miller met with the media this morning at HSBC Arena to discuss his new contract with the Buffalo Sabres.
Miller is now locked up with the Sabres through the 2013-2014 season.
Quinn pointed out that Miller has been part of the Sabres family for about 10 years, and stated that by signing with the Sabres, he was leaving a significant of money on the table in comparison to the marketplace. “I love the buy-in that he’s giving to the organization.”
“It’s a very good time for the Sabres” added Regier. “When we look at where we are we’re in a good place and we’ll go on from here.” Regier stated that he is now working to lock Jason Pominville to a new contract, and had done some work on this project just earlier this day.
When Miller spoke, he said “I chose Buffalo. It is a bit of a buy-in. I buy into what they are all about. I have a great relationship with everyone in this organization, so it made a lot of sense to stay here… I didn’t want to leave. I like the community I like everything about it.” Miller dismissed any notion that his boyhood team the Detroit Red Wings was ever a really serious consideration. “There was no point where I was thinking to leave. I grew up about an hour and fifteen from Joe Louis Arena, but to be honest I was just a big fan of hockey growing up. But my goal is to be with an organization that backs me up and respects me and I have all that here.”
I asked Miller what his thoughts were about pairing up with new backup goaltender Patrick Lalime. “I haven’t had a chance to meet him but I hear great things. I’ve watched him his entire career. He was an inspiration to me when he was a rookie in Pittsburgh and it was lights out. I look forward to meeting him and having some fun.”
It was a pretty packed house in the media room, which even had Darcy saying “wow” as he entered the room. Quite a difference from a year ago, when “Maybe I know something you don’t” was the signature of the event as the brass tried to explain the Drury and Briere departures.
You’ve gotta get the feeling that the Sabres are back - their valuable assets are getting signed up long term, the pipeline is being restocked with blue chip prospects, season ticket holders are resigning in droves. All good stuff. Bring on training camp!!!
twoeightnine Says:July 22nd, 2008 at 4:16 pm
But… but… but I was told he was good as gone. No one wants to play here.
FirstTimeLongTime Says:July 22nd, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Does anyone have any audio/video of “Maybe I know something that you don’t know”? I have a strange desire to listen to that again.
twoeightnine Says:July 24th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Kevin had it at one point, I think. I’d go through the BfloBlog archive.