The first major trade domino has fallen. Ryan Miller and Steve Ott have been traded to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, William Carrier, a first-round draft pick in 2015 and a conditional third-round draft pick in 2016. The Sabres scratched both Miller and team captain Ott ahead of Friday nights home game against the San Jose Sharks. Neither player was on the ice for the teams warm-up at the First Niagara Center. "The thought of getting the grit and determination of a player like Steve Ott and obviously Ryan Millers resume speaks for itself, we think this gives us a better opportunity for success this year," said Blues general manager Doug Armstrong. The Sabres currently sit last in the NHL with a 17-34-8 record and are believed to be poised to move several veteran pieces in an effort to add future assets. The conditional third-round pick in 2016 would become a first-round pick in the 2014 NHL Draft if Miller re-signs with the Blues or St. Louis makes it to the 2014 Western Conference Final. However, should that pick become a first-rounder, the Blues would then acquire the Minnesota Wilds second-round pick (which Buffalo acquired as part of the return for Jason Pominville) as well as the Sabres own 2014 third-rounder. If the Blues dont reach the Western Conference Final but sign Miller after the 2014 NHL Draft has taken place, then Buffalo would receive a 2016 second-round pick. Buffalo also retained a portion of Millers salary in the trade, according to a report on the teams official web site. Both Miller and Ott will join the Blues in Phoenix and are expected to be available for Sundays game against the Coyotes. The 33-year-old Miller has posted a 15-22-3 record with the Sabres this season, with a 2.72 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. Originally selected in the fifth round (138th overall) by the Sabres at the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Miller has spent his entire 11-year NHL career in Buffalo, posting a 284-186-1-56-28 record with a 2.60 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage. Miller is in the final year of a five-year deal worth an average annual value of $6.25 million that he signed with the Sabres prior to the 2009-10 season. "I got to know some of the (Blues) with (USA Hockey)," Miller said during a news conference in Buffalo after the deal was announced. "They have a very strong competitive spirit, so I look forward to joining that group." Ott, 31, has appeared in 59 games with the Sabres this season, scoring nine goals and 11 assists. He is in the final year of a four-year, $11.8 million contract and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Ott was selected in the first round (25th overall) of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars and played nine seasons in Dallas before being traded to Buffalo in 2012. In 673 career games with the Sabres and Stars, Ott has scored 103 goals and 161 assists while racking up 1,318 penalty minutes. "Im really excited to have this opportunity with St. Louis," said Ott. "My dream and my biggest goal is to have a chance at a Stanley Cup." Halak, 28, has appeared in 40 games with the Blues this season recording a 24-9-4 record, with a 2.23 goals against average and a .917 save percentage. He is currently in the final year of a four-year, $15 million contract he signed prior to the 2010-11 season and is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Halak was selected in the ninth round (271st overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He has appeared in 260 career games with the Blues and Canadiens, posting a 139-81-26-29 record with a 2.38 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. The Slovakian has represented his country on numerous occasions including the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where he backstopped his team to a quarter-final upset over Sweden en route to a fourth-place finish. He played again at the recent Sochi Games where his team finished 11th. Speaking to Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Halak said. "(The trade) is still fresh. Youre getting a good goalie. Good luck in the playoffs." In 58 games with the Blues this season, Stewart has scored 15 goals and 11 assists. Currently in the first of a two-year deal he signed prior to this season, Stewarts contract carries an average annual value of $4.15 million. Originally drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round (18th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Stewart has appeared in 377 career games with the Blues and Avalanche, scoring 115 goals and 113 assists. He was acquired by the Blues along with Kevin Shattenkirk and a second-round draft pick in the blockbuster deal that sent Erik Johnson, Jay McClement and a first round pick to Colorado in February, 2011. Carrier, a 19-year-old prospect, was selected in the second round (57th overall) by the Blues at the 2013 NHL Draft. The left winger has scored 17 goals and 39 assists in 59 combined games with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles and Drummondville Voltigeurs so far this season in the QMJHL. The Sabres now possess 10 combined picks in the first two rounds of the 2014 and 2015 Drafts. In addition to their own first- and second-round picks in 2014 they possess the Blues first-rounder, the Los Angeles Kings second-round pick (acquired in excahnge for Robyn Regehr) and the aforementioned Minnesota second-rounder. In addition to their own 2015 picks they also own the Kings second round pick (also obtained in the Regehr trade) and the New York Islanders second-rounder (acquired in the trade that sent Thomas Venk to Long Island). They also possess a conditional first from the New York Islanders - in either 2014 or 2015, to be determined by the Islanders - as part of the return for Vanek. Vin... Wilfork Jersey . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Kevin Johnson Texans Jersey . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. http://www.te... .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. [url=http://www.texansstore.us.com/Black-15-Ryan-Mallett-Womens-Jersey/]Ryan Mallett Womens Jersey . Pettersen, winner of last years Evian Championships, had nine birdies and three bogeys, holding off a series of challengers led by Marion Ricordeau of France. The second-ranked Norwegian made her season debut after missing the LPGA Tours opening event last month in the Bahamas because of a shoulder injury. Jade... Clowney Womens Jersey . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night.RALEIGH, N.C. -- Having lost three straight, the Calgary Flames were looking for something positive when they visited the Carolina Hurricanes. Karri Ramo delivered just what they needed. Ramo made 22 saves in his first NHL shutout, and Mikael Backlund and Sean Monahan provided the offence in the Flames 2-0 win over the Hurricanes on Monday night The Flames snapped their skid and handed the Hurricanes their second straight shutout defeat. "It was probably our best team effort of the season," Calgary coach Bob Hartley said. "We had quite a good first period, and I felt we pressured them and gained the momentum. Carolina came hard at us, and we did a great job." Carolinas offence has been shut down for two games following a season-best, five-game winning streak. The Hurricanes failed to match Calgarys intensity at the start, and were shut out for the fourth time this season. "We spent too much time in our own end," defenceman Brett Bellemore said. "We didnt get off to a good start and they kind of got a lucky bounce off a skate or something (on their goal)." The Hurricanes now have a long wait before they host Florida on Saturday. "We didnt have that extra jump," Carolina coach Kirk Muller said. "Its disappointing. We have four days ahead of us to sit on it. When you play teams like Calgary, its going to be a game in the trenches. "They got the lead, and once they did, they were able to sit back a little bit and defend." Backland scored his seventh goal of the season for the Flames, who notched their second power-play tally inn 26 chances.dddddddddddd Backland gathered the puck in front after it bounced off the skate of Hurricanes forward Radek Dvorak. "It was nice to score first," Backlund said. "Its easier to play with some energy when you score than have to chase all the time like weve been doing lately." Monahan scored his 13th goal midway through the third period to add some insurance. He scored into an open net after goalie Anton Khudobin was unable to get back across the crease from the far post. Ramo improved to 8-8-3 as the Flames swept the two-game season games from Carolina. It was Calgarys first shutout in 117 games. "Its good that its out of the way," Ramo said. "Its nice to finish one without a goal. Obviously, everyone thinks about it and knows the situation but you just have to focus and play normally." Khudobin, who lost his second straight, did some of his best work in the first period when the Flames carried the play and held a 14-5 shots advantage. Khudobin made 27 saves overall. Carolina captain Eric Staal returned to the lineup after missing three games because of a lower body injury. NOTES: Calgary is 11-3-3 in games in which it scores a power-play goal. The Flames went 1 for 3. ... Carolina activated C Jiri Tlusty from the injured list, and he was in the lineup for the time since Dec. 23, before he was sidelined because of an appendectomy. ... The Flames have won three straight and four of five against Carolina. ... 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