Darcy Regier would like to improve the Sabres' depth at center. The general manager just isn't sure who will be available this summer.
Regier, speaking at a news conference this afternoon to announce the re-signing of defenseman Alexander Sulzer to a one-year deal, said a thin free agent market will lead to trade talk next month.
"The right center ice is a priority," Regier said in First Niagara Center. "The real unknown here is what the trade market will hold. Nothing has started. It doesn’t get started until after the playoffs. Teams begin to talk, and then it really builds as you go into the draft.
"It’s tough to know what will be available, but if we can find the right centerman it would help."
The Sabres' top three centers are Derek Roy, Cody Hodgson and restricted free agent Tyler Ennis, who has or will receive a qualifying offer from the Sabres.
"The qualifying offers are out, but we’ll take our time there," Regier said. "We’ve got plenty of time on that. We qualified and will qualify everyone."
To hear Regier talk about Sulzer, Roy, Hodgson and Andrej Sekera, click the audio file below.
---John Vogl
