Brief News Update

We'll start with the big one:

• The Sabres locked up Ryan Miller to a 5 year, $31.25 million deal. Great news for Buffalo fans as Miller was one of the few bright spots and a steadying force on an inconsistent team. $6 million and change per season is a little steep but if its what it takes to keep Miller in Buffalo and delay his inevitable move to Detroit, I'll get behind it. Miller played in 76 games last season (an outrageous amount if you ask me), mostly because of the inconsistency of Thibault, but with Lalime in town now he will probably get somewhere in the range of 60 starts and be a sharper goalie, especially down the stretch. Look for a more focused Miller next season. Next comes Pominville...
• Apparently in the rush of moving and setting up my apartment I forgot to report on the signing of Craig Rivet. The Sabres orchestrated a few moves including trading Steve Bernier and a few picks to get the veteran defenseman from San Jose. Rivet is the kind of ass-kicking, stay at home defenseman the Sabres have been desperately lacking the last few seasons. The way I see it as that the Sabres essentially lost Brian Campbell and a third round pick but gained Craig Rivet. Ill take that trade any day. The team has not lacked scoring the last few seasons but there has been a shortage of grit and that is something Sabres fans can count on Rivet to deliver.
• The Chicago Blackhawks named Jonathan Toews as their next captain. All we have been hearing about this kid from the beginning is that he is captain material and all that hype must have ben correct because he is the third youngest captain in the history of the NHL. From what little of this kid I have seen I am prepared to say that this is the right move. The Blackhawks are entering a new phase in their development and its important to have someone to look to. He lit it up for the Hawks last season placing third in scoring on the team even after missing almost 20 games with an injury.
• The Thrashers must have seen something they liked from former Penguins prospect Angelo Esposito at their development camp becasue they signed him to a multi-year deal. I was a little surprised when I heard that Esposito was included in the Hossa deal, especially after being taken so high in last years draft. Hopefully this kid works out for them, they could use a spark.
• Speaking of the Penguins, they came to an agreement with head coach Michel Therrien for the next three years. I guess its pretty hard to fire the head coach of a team that makes it to the finals but there have been some rumors floating around about him not being particularly well-liked among his team.
• Mats Sundin signed with... just kidding. Sundin is going to drag this out until at least August if not later, seriously screwing with Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver's plans and putting a major bind on their accounting.