"I expect there to be a secondary trade market after this unrestricted market," Regier told the News. "We're looking at any situation that will make us a better team. We're not locked in. Some guys we certainly would not want to trade under any circumstances, but we're sitting here in early July and if the opportunity to improve our team is out there, then we want to be able to take advantage of it."
With Tyler Ennis, Cody Hodgson, Matt Ellis, Cody McCormick and Luke Adam left down the middle, the Sabres need to focus on finding a legitimate No.1 centerman, though Ennis and Hodgson could eventually grow into first-liners.
The only way to find immediate help appears to be trading with a club that needs an upgrade on the blueline and at the wing.
The Sabres have six left wingers with the recent addition of Ott, along with Thomas Vanek, Marcus Foligno, Ville Leino, Nathan Gerbe and John Scott.
As for the defense, the Sabres are packed with nine blueliners, including top-six Tyler Myers, Christian Ehrhoff, Jordan Leopold, Andrej Sekera, Robyn Regehr and Alexander Sulzer, while they also have Mike Weber, Brayden McNabb and newly-acquired Adam Pardy on reserve. A 10th defenseman, restricted free agent T.J Brennan is also available.
"We have the ability to do something there," Regier said.
"I'm hopeful it's more likely [that more transactions are coming], but things are certainly going to have to free up. We're pretty stalled out around the league right now."
