"Ryan Miller has heard the chatter. He knows folks have added his crushing blow to his teammates' lack of response and surmised the Sabres don't respect the goaltender or have his back.

"A lot's been said about it, and you know what? These guys have my back," Miller said Tuesday. "I was disappointed in the direction that started to take where people were talking about how these guys don't have my back. My whole job is to try and help these guys and be there for them, and they're there for me.""