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!!!

The Buffalo Sabres held a press conference this afternoon to introduce the newest addition to their stable of young guns - and it was none other than South Buffalo’s own Tim Kennedy, who signed a two year entry level contract with the team, after completing his junior year with the Michigan State Spartans. The 22 year old Kennedy was originally drafted by the Washington Capitals in 2005, but his rights were then obtained by the Sabres via trade that same day.

Kennedy grew up a Sabres fan, admitting that his favorite player that he wished to emulate was Detroit’s Steve Yzerman. But from the Sabres? “Around here it was hard not to like (Alexander) Mogilny and Pat Lafontaine.”

Ask where he would fit in on the team, Kennedy replied, “I like to think I’m an all around player. I can score if I need to. I can be a 3rd or 4th line player. I will do whatever it takes.” Kennedy can play center or left wing.

Recalling draft day in 2005, Kennedy thought that his friends were playing a practical joke on him when he first learned that his rights were acquired by the Buffalo Sabres. “But then a person who works for the Sabres called me to tell me it really happened. Then a half hour later I get a call from Mr. Regier and he confirmed that I had been traded and I thought it was awesome.”

General Manager Darcy Regier seemed very pleased with the work accomplished in the past month. “We’re very excited. Tim, Nathan Gerbe and Dennis Persson. It’s a nice crew that will fit together very nicely here.” Talking about the upcoming training camp, Regier responded, “I think it will be very interesting. These are good players. They will push our forwards. We have a lot of forwards. So I think that we’ll have some decisions to make and they will be good decisions.”

Regier stated that Persson will remain in the Swedish Elite League this coming season before coming to North America, as will Philippe Gogulla, who participated in last year’s training camp. Regier also revealed that an announcement regarding the Sabres’ American Hockey League affiliate will be forthcoming. “We’re moving closer to announcement. I don’t have an exact date” said Regier. “It won’t be weeks away, it will be days away probably.”