Rumored Sabre goalie Ryan Miller stops a shot during Buffalo’s 3-2 win over Carolina.
AP Photo/Gary Wiepert

As the March 5 trade deadline nears, the Sabres could be saying goodbye to Ryan Miller. The 33-year old American goalie returned to action last night making 36 saves in Buffalo’s 3-2 home win over Carolina. He even contributed offensively with a pair of assists. His days in Western New York could be numbered.

Even though new GM Bob Murray would like to re-sign him, it might be best if they trade him. With the Sabres in full rebuild mode, bringing back a player Miller’s age might not be best for either side. Something he alluded to by referencing where they are in the standings. Buffalo ranks 30th. Murray indicated that he wants to get value back for his number one goalie.

“The things that they’re going to have to do are probably going to come during the trade deadline, and maybe I’m one of them,” Miller said. “I don’t want to close anything off right now, but I know they’re kind of looking around for opportunity. I think that’s probably best for everybody.”

Originally a fifth round pick in the 1999 Draft, he is the Sabres franchise leader with 284 wins and 540 games. His most successful seasons came in ’05-06 and ’06-07 when he led Buffalo to consecutive Conference Finals. His best year was in ’09-10 when he won the Vezina as voted by GMs for the league’s top goalie after achieving career bests in wins (41), goals-against-average (2.22 GAA), save percentage (.929) with five shutouts. He’s made four postseason appearances with the last two first round exits in ’10 and ’11. Unless he’s dealt, it will be three straight years without the playoffs. Tough for an accomplished netminder who led Team USA to Olympic silver in Vancouver four years ago.

“Players that treat you right and have played hard for you over the years, you try to do what’s best for them too, as long as it fits into what you’re doing,” Murray said regarding Miller’s future.

“And by trading Ryan to a contender, a good team that maybe is lacking only his position, I think that we’ve certainly not done a disservice to him and we’ve helped the organization in our own right. Our goal, I think from both sides, is to pursue a proper trade.”