Another player is on the move as a result of the National Hockey League’s seemingly endless lockout: Buffalo Sabres captain Jason Pominville is heading off to Germany, according to published reports at BuffaloHockeyBeat.com and Pro Hockey Talk.

Bill Hoppe of BuffaloHockeyBeat.com—an online section of the Olean Times Herald—reported today that Pominville is leaving soon.

Buffalo Sabres captain Jason Pominville’s heading to the Mannheim Eagles of the DEL in Germany to play during the NHL lockout, he told the Times Herald today.

‘If it does get settled quick, then I’ll be able to skate for a few weeks, a month – whatever it is,” Pominville said after skating inside the Northtown Center. “It’ll be a mini training camp. And if not, I’ll have a team for the rest of the season. I think it’s a move I wanted to do. I just want to play.’

He’s the ninth Sabre to go overseas during the 76-day work stoppage.

A native of Repentigny, Quebec, Pominville turned 30 years old today. A full-time member of the Sabres since 2005-2006—remember when he cleared waivers before the start of that season?—Pominville has 175 career goals and 256 assists, all with Buffalo.

In other Sabres news, The Washington Post reports that goaltender Ryan Miller is in Scottsdale, Ariz. to work out with members of the Phoenix Coyotes. He is not alone—“Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby, San Jose forward Patrick Marleau…and Dallas forward Brendan Morrow” have also participated in the informal sessions, according to The Post.

But he’s thinking of us! “It was fun to be out there and, OK, I’ve actually go to stop this puck,” Miller was quoted as saying. “I kind of tried to pretend I was back in front of the home crowd and had to make a stop, so it was good.”

Now in its 76th day, the NHL lockout has resulted in the loss of over 400 games—including the annual Winter Classic and All-Star Game.

Don’t expect it to end soon—NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly issued a brief statement on the mediation process yesterday that wasn’t exactly optimistic about the proceedings..

‘Today, we concluded two days of mediation with FMCS mediators and representatives of the NHL Players’ Association. After spending several hours with both sides over two days, the presiding mediators concluded that the parties remained far apart, and that no progress toward a resolution could be made through further mediation at this point in time. We are disappointed that the mediation process was not successful.’

Photo from zimbio.com.