Little Gray Box: Ryan Miller

In all honesty, I can't remember if Buffalo's Ryan Miller signed this cheapskate card in 2002 or 2003. I am positive, though, we got it during our time in Beantown. Either way, it was one of the first autographs we received from the Sabres' talented goalie.

Nineteen out of 20

I used to pride myself on being able to identify most any signature that Colin got on one of his team sheets. I'm not so sure I'm able to do that anymore.

For the life of me, I can't tell which member of the Buffalo Sabres signed the bottom left corner of this sheet yesterday before heading off to play the Tampa Bay Lightning.

I'm hoping it's Derek Roy, but I've never seen a sloppy Roy autograph like that.

What I can say, though, is that these players and coaches did sign:

Tim Connolly, Matt Ellis, Paul Gaustad, Jochen Hecht, Ales Kotalik (top center), Patrick Lalime, Toni Lydman, Clarke MacArthur, Ryan Miller (above and to the left of the "30"), Teppo Numminen (atop the Buffaslug's head), Nathan Paetsch, Daniel Paille, James Patrick, Jason Pominville (to the right of Miller's signature), Craig Rivet, Lindy Ruff, Jaroslav Spacek, Drew Stafford (under "Sabres") and Thomas Vanek (above, and to the top right of that undecipherable scribble).

Anyone out there in hockey hounding land recognize it?

Guilty, as charged

Yes, your Honor, I was cherry-picking yesterday with a handful of items for Buffalo's Ryan Miller. I beg for mercy and understanding by submitting these pieces of evidence:

Item: Buffalo Sabres replica jersey, personalized at Colin's request

Item: Team USA jersey, one of nine signatures upon it.

Item: Buffalo Sabres mini helmet, one of nine signatures upon it.

On a side note, he was also one of 20 Sabres to sign Colin's team sheet.

Nice touch

One of the nicer premiums in a hobby box of the 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee release is a card commemorating the 2008 Winter Classic featuring the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Though the Sabres were on the losing end of the contest, this card, even if it depicts Buffalo's Ryan Miller and Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby in the game's closing play, is a nice snowy day memento from my old stomping grounds of Western New York.