The General Manager Corner: Free Agent Goalies

Jan 27, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller (30) looks down during the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center. Penguins beat the Sabres 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Miller

Far and away the best option available for nothing more than money this summer. The longtime Sabre  was shipped to St. Louis at the deadline in the hopes of being the missing piece for the Blues. However after a mediocre close to the regular season, Miller looked like the difference maker he was supposed to be through the first two games of the playoffs. Then things turned south…quick.

He struggled the rest of the series as the Blackhawks dispatched the Blues in six.  St. Louis has made it known they will go in a different direction and have already committed to Brian Elliott. As for Miller? He will turn 34 in July and is in line for one final big payday. Unfortunately for Miller, his desire to play for a contender on the west coast limits his market drastically.  He’s at the stage of his career where he should start declining sooner rather than later. With that said though, no doubt he’ll have enough suitors to drive his price up and land in a solid situation with a team close to winning.

The General Manager Prediction: if you believe the rumors of his preferences, the only team that makes sense is the San Jose Sharks. Sharks general manager Doug Armstrong has promised his team would look different and adding Miller to its core would place it among contenders again. They’ll have to move Antti Niemi to make it happen (shouldn’t be an issue), but ultimately the deal gets done for four years, $28 million total.

Plus wouldn’t it be fitting for the league’s biggest chokers and one of it most overrated goalies to join forces?

Darkhorse team: Pittsburgh Penguins