Miller, Vanek likely to start season with Sabres

With one year remaining on their contracts, Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller and forward Thomas Vanek have been the subjects of trade rumors in recent weeks. But Sabres general manager Darcy Regier doesn't believe he will move either player before the start of next season.

"We've had some discussions regarding both those players," Regier told the team's website. "Obviously they're here and they're part of our organization. Nothing's changed in that regard."

One of the biggest issues facing Regier is most of his trading partners would have difficulty fitting either Miller or Vanek under the salary cap. Vanek has a $7.1 million cap charge and Miller's value comes in at $6.25 million, according to capgeek.com.

Vanek had 20 goals and 21 assists in 38 games for the Sabres last season; Miller went 17-17-5 with a 2.81 goals-against average and .915 save percentage.

"The cap is a real big part of it. Any discussions that I have now involve taking back money, moving money. Money plays a very big role," Regier said. "I think you can look at clubs you wouldn't expect to be up and around $60-million-plus and they're there."

The Sabres are still looking at free agency "just lightly right now," according to Regier.

"We've dabbled in it, but not in any real depth," he said.