What is likely to happen this off season in Buffalo

I'm fully expecting the biggest change this off season with the Sabres will be the retirement of the slug and the roll out of two new jerseys for 2010-11.

Last off season, Larry Quinn said they did a thorough top to bottom evaluation of the organization and that led to another "Status Quo" type approach to the off season with the core remaining the same and Regier banking on growth from within.

I fully expect the Sabres to approach this off season like they did last off season.

Larry Quinn won't relieve Darcy Regier of his duties and Darcy Regier won't relieve Lindy Ruff of his duties.

I expect Derek Roy & Tim Connolly wto return as the top 2 centers on this team.

The Sabres will likely re-sign Henrik Tallinder to a contract that will appear good this summer with Henrik having a solid 2010-11 season, but will not look as good a year or two down the road.

I would hope that Mike Grier and the Sabres can agree on a new deal.

Toni Lydman might walk as an UFA and the Sabres will either replace him from within with a guy like Mike Weber or they'll get this year's Steve Montador (read a cost effective UFA).

They might deal Drew Stafford, but I doubt it.

Adam Mair, who was waived mid-season, might go to be replaced with Cody McCormick who played well in the Boston series. Matt Ellis is an UFA this summer and he may not be back, as well.

Zack Kassian might earn a roster spot.

Jhonas Enroth might get a shot to back up Ryan Miller or they'll sign another in the glorious line of UFA backups of Lalime and Thibault.

What I'm not expecting is for Regier and company to reevaluate how they want to build their roster and have a lot of turnover with regards to the top 6 forwards and a spot or two on defense.

While many believe that the NHL has slipped on it's commitment to getting obstruction out of the game and the formula for success that worked for the Sabres in the first two years after the lockout will not work as well moving forward, I don't see the Sabres coming to that conclusion this off season and making drastic moves.

I don't see them moving Roy and/or Connolly to get bigger, grittier top 6 centers.

I don't see the Sabres addressing their need for a PP QB defenseman by paying a king's ransom to Toronto for Tomas Kaberle.

I don't see the Sabres trying to acquire a power forward/leader top 6 winger like Shane Doan or Jarome Iginla to improve the playoff scoring of their top 2 lines.

In the end, I don't see the Sabres management "playing out of character" this off season to try and make the fundamental changes to the roster that many outside of the organization believe need to be made if this team is to improve in the postseason a year from now.

On the positive side, how many people felt like Regier built a team that was capable of winning the division this season?