Miikka Kiprusoff has decided to remain with the Calgary Flames for the rest of his career. This changes the landscape of the NHL trade deadline drastically. Many teams are in the hunt for a veteran goaltender. Kiprusoff has been the name getting the most attention from teams, so with off the board, it opens to door for other possible trades to happen. With the Toronto Maple Leafs cornering in on Roberto Luongo, Ryan Miller is a name that continues to come up. The Tampa Bay Lightning are exploring a trade to make a grab at the Buffalo goaltender.
Miller currently has trade restrictions in his contract. He has listed eight teams that he will not accept a trade to under any circumstance. He may be willing to make an exception to that no-trade clause if the right team comes calling. Buffalo has struggled throughout the entire year and Miller may be ready to jump ship. Miller is an established goaltender with a lengthy resume that includes the Olympics. At 32, he could offer at least five more years to a team.
Miller could step in and help Tampa Bay right away. The Lightning finished 30th last season in goals-against average. The team acquired Anders Lindback in an attempt to mend the situation, but that did not work out either. They lack stability in the net, something that is keeping the team from making a strong run at the playoffs. This season, Miller has gone 12-15 with a 2.83 GAA on a struggling Sabres team. Tampa Bay has the defense in place that could help Miller succeed.
The one thing that could hinder a trade to Tampa Bay is the fact that with the restructuring, both Buffalo and Tampa Bay will be in the same division next season. Buffalo might not be willing to send one of the league's best goalies to a division rival. If Buffalo is unable to trade Miller to the right team, it is likely he will be released once his contract expires at the end of the year.
If Miller no longer becomes a trade option, Tampa Bay could make a last minute run at Luongo. It seems Toronto may win that race considering they have been in discussions with Vancouver over the course of the year about a potential trade. As Wednesday approaches, those two goalies have gone to the top of everyone's list.
