The Blues announced that they have re-signed goalie Brian Elliott to a new three-year deal, likely meaning the Ryan Miller era in St. Louis will be coming to an end.
BREAKING NEWS: @KidElls1 has signed a new three-year contract with the Blues. >>> http://t.co/cB9tSD2EeP #stlblues
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) May 19, 2014
BREAKING: #stblues announce three-year contract extension for Brian Elliott, meaning Ryan Miller will be moving on.
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) May 19, 2014
Doug Armstrong: “Brian will team up with Jake Allen next season to form our goaltending tandem.” #stlblues
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) May 19, 2014
The move affects the conditional draft pick the Sabres received from the Blues. If St. Louis made the Stanley Cup or Miller re-signed before the draft Buffalo would receive a 2014 first round pick from the Blues. Since St. Louis was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs and Miller likely hitting free agency things aren’t looking good for Buffalo’s chances to get that pick.
Miller played 19 regular season games and six playoff games in St. Louis. Despite a hot start after the trade he trailed off at the end of the regular season. He was unable to help the Blues get past the Chicago Blackhawks in the playoffs, a disappointing end to a very promising season for the team. He finished with an overall record of 12-12-1.
The Blues went all in with the Miller trade, but it didn’t help them get any further than they had in the past. With the Blues having one of the top young goalies in Jake Allen, the price tag and term that Miller would be looking for likely didn’t fit into their plans.
If Steve Ott leaves in free agency as well the Sabres received Chris Stewart, Jaroslav Halak (who was then traded for Michal Neuvirth), William Carrier, a 2015 first round pick, and a conditional pick for two rental players.