It’s easy to look at the on-ice situation and say that Ryan Miller is feeling pure joy in being traded to the St. Louis Blues. That ignores the very human element of this situation, as Miller says goodbye to the only NHL team he’s ever known in the Buffalo Sabres.
The expression on Miller’s face during the farewell press conference might just capture that mixture of excitement in getting a great opportunity and sadness in leaving a team where he spent “a third” of his life.
Ryan Miller at the podium. pic.twitter.com/dNefTvvxtH
— Joe Yerdon (@JoeYerdon) March 1, 2014
Consider just the last few weeks for the 33-year-old. For better or worse, the U.S. men’s hockey team went with Jonathan Quick instead of Miller, denying him an opportunity to improve upon that silver-medal performance. Now he goes from a dreary (yet familiar) on-ice situation in Buffalo to high expectations in St. Louis.
“It just kind of hits you all at once,” Miller said, according to the Buffalo News.
Even so, there’s no denying the opportunity for Miller, who could really maximize his value (either in St. Louis or somewhere else, depending upon potential negotiations) if he can help the Blues make a deep playoff run.
“I am very excited for an opportunity to have a new adventure,” Miller said. “I have a strong sense that (St. Louis) has a very special team.”
Excited to be a member of the @StLouisBlues. After watching my cousin Kevin wear the blue note and one of my heroes, Cujo, this is great!
— Ryan Miller (@RyanMiller3039) March 1, 2014
Blues fans will probably expect special work from Miller, then.
