Are the Sabres committed?

Mike Schopp asked if the Sabres are committed to winning the Stanley Cup yesterday.

Personally, I don't question the level of commitment to winning when it comes to guys like Larry Quinn and Darcy Regier. I question whether their approach to how to build a team that is capable of winning the Stanley Cup will ever result in the Sabres ever actually winning the Cup.

I believe that Regier has his plan of attack and he's going to stick with it.

That means that I don't expect him to put together a huge package to acquire a legit #1 center (like if the Penguins actually shop Malkin). I don't expect Regier to give up the king's ransom plus a 1st round pick to acquire Tomas Kaberle to be the PP QB defenseman that this team needs. I don't expect the Sabres to offer a RFA offer sheet to a player that can be a game changer for the Sabres.

I expect Regier to go about building next year's squad like he has gone about things the past few off seasons. I expect the bulk of the roster to return intact. I expect Regier to add a few players that don't cost a ton against the cap and don't cost a ton of the Sabres future to acquire.

So, who will be this year's Grier or Montador or Rivet?

Can Regier pull a Drury or Briere rabbit out of his hat?

Will Regier get out of his comfort zone and cut ties with players that he has drafted and developed, but aren't the kinds of guys that can carry this team to the promised land?

Will Regier get out of his comfort zone and perhaps add a front line player with a Cup ring on his finger?

I hope that Regier will do what is needed. But, I'm not expecting it.

I just can't see Regier "playing out of character".