Buffalo Sabres Trade Miller and Ott

It was just a matter of time, and with the NHL trade deadline just days away, Buffalo Sabres General Manager Tim Murray decided Friday night was the right time to pull the trigger on a big trade with the St. Louis Blues.

The long-time face of the Sabres, goaltender Ryan Miller, and team captain Steve Ott will be heading to the Blues and a possible run at the Stanley Cup, while the Sabres continue the rebuilding process.

In exchange with the Blues, the Sabres get goaltender Jaroslav Halak and veteran winger Chris Stewart, plus prospect William Carrier and two draft picks, the Blues' number one draft pick in 2015 and a conditional pick in 2014, which could be the Blues' number one pick if the Blues make the Western Conference finals or if Miller re-signs with the Blues at the end of the season.

Both Miller and Ott met with the media during the first intermission of Friday night's game with the San Jose Sharks. Both said they were looking forward to a chance at winning a Stanley Cup, but both sounded more sad than anything.

First, Ryan Miller:

Ott wasn't here long, but grew to love the town:

The Sabres went on to notch their sixth straight win against the Sharks and their third in a row since returning from the Olympic break. It was a game Miller was scheduled to start, but Jonas Enroth was in goal instead and turned away 36 shots to earn the game's first star.

Tyler Myers set up a pair of goals and scored the clinching goal into an empty net with 20 seconds left. Myers said it's tough to say goodbye to two great teammates.

So after a three-game home stand, the Sabres play their next three on the road starting with a meeting with the Dallas Stars on Monday night. The trade of Miller and Ott may be just the beginning of a number of trades the Sabres may make before next Wednesday.  The team could even make more trades before their next game.