Sabres Ryan Miller calls NHL lockout ‘stupid’
BUFFALO, N.Y. After rejoining his Buffalo Sabres teammates on the ice for the first time in some nine months, goalie Ryan Miller had a few lingering frustrations to get off his chest regarding the NHL lockout. “The best thing to do is acknowledge that it was stupid,” Miller said Friday, before turning his attention to Sabres fans. “I appreciate their patience. I know it’s a hard situation. I still don’t even know the right message because it was just a stupid, useless waste of time.”
Miller, who played a role in negotiations, called himself “embarrassed” that it took more than six months of negotiations to reach an agreement. At one point during talks, he gave up on the possibility of there being a season this year.
And he laid the blame on owners, specifically commissioner Gary Bettman, whom he accused of being the reason why the fourmonth lockout wasn’t resolved sooner.
“In my mind, it always had to be January in Gary Bettman’s mind,” Miller said. “Obviously, he had something in his head and he was going to see how far he could take it. So there’s really no going up against Gary, when he has something in his head.”
For someone who hasn’t played in a competitive game since April 5, the ever-outspoken Miller seems already in midseason form.
“It’s exciting to be back. It’s the way that you’re supposed to feel,” he said. “It’s not in the boardroom, so that’s good. It’s getting back on the ice, and that’s the important part.”
Spending much of his off-season in Southern California, Miller arrived in Buffalo on Thursday, and was on the ice for what’s expected to be the players’ final informal practice at a suburban arena. Training camp is tentatively set to open Sunday.
A seven-year veteran, Miller is the f ace of the franchise, and regarded as a team leader. His arrival was welcomed by the Sabres, and also by about 300 fans.
Aside from his frustrations regarding labour talks, Miller was in an upbeat mood. Walking out of the locker-room with his mask perched above his head exposing a familiar patchy beard — “It’s my lockout beard” — he then flashed a big smile before taking the ice.