Cervenka has allegedly signed a three-year deal with a KHL team known as SKA Saint Petersurg according to the official press release of the club and passed on by Eronko’s Twitter account.

The Czech Republic native signed a one-year deal with the Flames prior to the 2012-13 season where he posted 9 goals and added 8 assists in 39 games.  So far in the 27-year old’s hockey career, last season has been the only one he’s played in North America.  The previous ten seasons Cervenka split between the KHL and the Czech pro leagues.

For the Flames, the loss could be considered a substantial one given Cervenka’s age and potential talent ceiling.  A young center who isn’t an imposing body on the ice, Cervenka surely would have fit in nicely as the team’s third line center while the club attempts to reassemble the pieces in what they hope will be a playoff contending club.

With aging veterans still on the roster, the Flames could be one of the busier clubs this summer and now with the departure of Cervenka, it’s one more hole left to fill.

Flames’ GM Jay Feaster will have his work cut out for him if he plans on lifting this organization back into the postseason.  Cervenka may not have been in the long-term plans for Feaster and the Flames and given his average numbers this past season, his game may be best suited for the KHL rather than the NHL.  For Flames fans, they may never know now.

Miller, who is now 32 years old was drafted by the Sabres in 1999 in the 5th round pick (138th overall). Miller, who some say has not lived up  to the hype has not always been able to handle being the face of the Sabres. I would say he is too easily  frustrated, and he has a history of allowing his emotional issues affect his play. His career numbers are average at best.  His GAA is 2.59, and he has a SV% of .915. The Sabres tried to convince their fan base that Miller is in the elite goaltender category and while he is a top goaltender, I would say for the money Miller is at best, slightly above average.

This year the Buffalo Sabres have started to rebuild their team and all indications are that Miller is not going to be the foundation to build around. A news report out of Buffalo has Miller listing his townhouse for sale, a likely sign that the club will try and traded him during the upcoming off -season. The Sabres are deep in goal with Jhonas Enroth, who is eight years younger than Miller and who’s numbers are similar but at a fraction of the price. Enroth has a career GAA of 2.72 and a SV% of .914.  In Rochester the Sabres have another two options in David Leggio (GAA  2.56 and a SV% of .924, the Amerks also have Matt Hackett (GAA 2.59 and a SV% of .911). In other word Miller’s services are no longer needed in Buffalo.

If the Sabres are looking to unload the aging goaltender their options may be few and far between, but after looking over some stats I think I may have a few landing sports for Miller.- St. Louis Blues. Starting goaltender Brian Elliott (GAA of 2.34 and a SV% of .905). The Blues were rumored to be in the hunt for Miller at the trade deadline and while St. Louis appears to have good enough goalkeeping, they could still be a fit for Miller.

- Calgary Flames. The Flames had Mikka Kiprusoff (GAA 3.44 and a  SV% .882) in net this year, and there are rumors that he will retire after this season. The Sabres and Flames have made trades in the past and a Miller deal is a possibility.

- Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens have had nothing but net minder problems this year. Carey Price who was said to be the next Patrick Roy has not lived up to much. Price (GAA 2.59 and a SV% .905) is part of the net minder carousel in Montreal. Miller, while unlikely to land in Montreal could add some veteran leadership to the young goal tending group.

- Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche have not been able to get much out of their goalies.  Starting goaltender Semyon Varlamov has fallen short of being dependable (GAA 3.06 and a SV%.901) The Avalanche do have Jean-Sebastien Giguere who is at the tail end of his career. Adding Miller to the mix would give the Avalanche a much-needed boost between the pipes.

There are a few other teams out there that need Miller’s services, but Buffalo is not one of them. Even with the Silver medal (2010), All-Star game (2007), and Vezina Trophy(2010), Ryan Miller has worn out his welcome in Buffalo and all indications are, he knows it. The Sabres have started their fire sale, and it won’t end until the old guard is replaced.

Starting in the twin cities where the Wild are suddenly collapsing faster than a fold up tent bought at a garage sale after losing 4-1 to the suddenly surging Calgary Flames.  The loss was the second straight for the Wild and in the last ten games they are 3-6-1 leading to a drop in the standings from the middle of the pack to seventh as of today.

Minnesota doesn’t appear to be in jeopardy of missing the playoffs providing they can win just one of their remaining three games that has them up against the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings and Colorado Avalanche.  Two of those clubs are out of the playoffs and could pose a threat to the Wild given they have nothing to play for.  But when you consider the Wild have owned the Oilers over the past few years I’d say Wild fans can get ready for the second season in Minnesota.

As far as the Flames go, I recall doing a piece on why they failed at this year’s trade deadline. In that piece I mentioned that this group of mediocre, veteran forwards will likely put together a modest winning streak that’ll see them jump up the standings to the point where they’re caught in no-man’s land.  They can’t make the playoffs but now they sit in twelfth place in the west and are on the outside looking in for the draft lottery.  While this year’s lottery has changed where any team that doesn’t make the playoffs can win the first overall pick, the Flames chances are diminishing with every victory.  So much re-building the proper way hey Feaster.

Staying in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers are a complete mess right now and could be on the verge of yet another first overall pick. How embarrassing would that be for the once proud franchise.

The Oilers lost to the Ducks last night by a 3-1 margin, a game that saw them grossly outplayed for most of the sixty minutes.  They’ve been passed by the Flames in the standings and with four games remaining, the Oilers are officially eliminated from the playoffs.  Make it seven straight years with no postseason in Edmonton and as mentioned, the draft lottery is suddenly a sad reality for the Oilers and their faithful.  Looking at their remaining schedule the Oilers lock horns with the Ducks, Wild, Blackhawks, and Canucks.  Not exactly a cake walk to finishing the year with some dignity and respect.  I wonder if Craig MacTavish is regretting his decision to accept the GM job?  That has to be one of the worst GM jobs in hockey right now because this team is a mess.

The Oilers could learn a thing or two from the cruising Blue Jackets who are on the verge of completing one of the greatest stories of this shortened NHL season.  Columbus was picked by many to finish next to or dead last in the standings and now are closing in on securing their playoff ticket.  Sitting in eighth position, three points up on the struggling Detroit Red Wings, the Jackets only have two games remaining to the Wings four.  The good news for Columbus is that they face two non-playoff teams in the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars.  The bad news is the Stars are playing some great hockey themselves of late and are still mathematically in the playoff hunt, meaning they’ll be guns-a-blazing.

You don’t have to look very far when wondering what the key to the Jackets success has been; Sergei Bobrovsky.  Sure the deadline deal that landed them Marion Gaborik has helped, but Bobrovsky should be included in the Hart Trophy conversation as league MVP.