BUFFALO (LGS) — Last year's start of free agency was arguably the worst day in the history of the Buffalo Sabres franchise. One year later, are the Sabres ready to reenergize the fan base all the while improving an already talented roster?

Since the Sabres operate in a very conservative manner, it would be wise to look at the current state of the team position-by-position before dreaming about which free agents the Darcy Regier and company might go after.

CENTER OF (IN)ATTENTION
With all due respect to acquiring a physical defenseman, Buffalo's biggest weakness is the lack of quality centermen behind Derek Roy and the often injured Tim Connolly.

While I love Paul Gaustad as much as the next guy, the Sabres should demand more from a third line center. Gaustad might be the best and most ideal fourth line center in the league but asking anything more than that may be asking too much from the Goose.

After Roy, Connolly and Gaustad, Adam Mair is the only remaining centerman. While you can't doubt the effort you get from Mair, his production leaves something to be desired. He has the talent in him to produce more offensively, even as a fourth line player, but for some reason it just never comes to fruition.

Jochen Hecht can also double as a center but the German winger would likely prefer his natural left wing position. The Sabres are also lacking depth down the middle in Portland as only Marek Zagrapan and Dylan Hunter return from last year's Rochester squad.

RIGHT WING CONSPIRACY
Jason Pominville, Drew Stafford, Steve Bernier, Maxim Afinogenov and Ales Kotalik highlight the right wing position. And we obviously can't forget about Patrick Kaleta; who would have a permanent spot on the team's fourth line if I had any say.

Since Lindy Ruff obviously can't play these six right wingers in their preferred position, Buffalo might have to offload some of this depth. The future of guys like of Afinogenov and Kotalik greatly depends on whether or not the Sabres want to upgrade their other positions, including defense.

While the Sabres are stacked with quality right wingers in Buffalo, the same can't be said with their depth in Portland. As of today, restricted free agent Mark Mancari is the only returning right winger who will likely suit up for the Pirates.

WHAT'S LEFT
When compared to the right side, Buffalo's left wing depth chart is almost the complete opposite. Thomas Vanek and Hecht are the only guaranteed roster spots but they are followed up by an insane amount of quality prospects ready to make the jump into the NHL.

Daniel Paille and Clarke MacArthur have the best shot of nabbing full-time spots on the Sabres this season but they will feel pressure from the likes of Nathan Gerbe, Tim Kennedy, Philip Gogulla and possibly even Marc-Andre Gragnani.

Andrew Peters also returns but with the glut of youngsters ready for prime time action, the Sabres' enforcer may end up being in the press box even more this season.

BOLSTERING THE BLUELINE
It's almost a certainty that the Sabres will be looking to upgrade on defense this summer as Jaroslav Spacek, Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman are the only core returning players.

Dmitri Kalinin is all but officially gone but Andrej Sekera and Mike Weber are ready to become full-time NHLers as they practically wrote themselves into the starting six late last season.

It is becoming increasingly more likely that Teppo Numminen will return for at least one more season. Numminen's presence on the blueline and first-class breakout pass were sorely missed last season.

After a strong showing his rookie year, Nathan Paetsch's performance last campaign has him on the outside looking in. If the Sabres sign one or two free agents for the blueline, it may be the end of Paetsch's tenure in Buffalo.

Chris Butler and Michael Funk will likely be the "next-in-line" guys playing in Portland. Newly drafted 6-foot-7 Tyler Myers will need one more season of juniors before making his way to Portland and possibly Buffalo.

IN MILLER WE TRUST
Much of last season's woes can be attributed to the overplaying of Ryan Miller. If you ask me, Miller is one of the premier goaltenders in the entire league but he's still a few years away from being the guy you can count on for 70 games a season.

Jhonas Enroth is a bon-a-fide blue-chip prospect who will become the starting netminder in Portland sooner rather than later. Adam Dennis is the only other goaltender in the Sabres system and barring a significant development with his game, he should remain in the minors for the foreseeable future.

LOOKING INTO THE CRYSTAL BALL
It goes without saying that the Sabres will pick up a blueliner or two this summer in addition to a backup netminder. That being said, what Buffalo plans to do offensively is still a mystery to anyone who is not named Lindy Ruff or Darcy Regier.

With his first offseason move, expect Regier to secure a physical, stay-at-home defenseman. Williamsville-native Brooks Orpik is the likely candidate as the homegrown product would bring a punishing style of play without sacrificing mobility. The much underrated Jeff Finger from Colorado might also make sense for Buffalo.

If the Sabres feel they the need to bring in offensive blueliners, Ron Hainsey from Columbus might be a decent option. What about Brian Campbell? There's no doubt Campbell would love to return to the Sabres but Buffalo would only be willing to pay between $5.0 to $5.5 million. That will be at least a million less than he'll get on the open market.

I personally expect and hope the Sabres will pick up a veteran center that plays well at both ends of the ice. There are a number of solid options in free agency that Buffalo could look into without having to break the bank. A player like Brendan Morrison would definitely fit the bill.

Depending what Buffalo's plans are with the center position and whether they decide to keep Hecht as a third line center, the Sabres could also look to upgrade on the wings. While I wouldn't expect the Sabres to target any right wingers, there are a few left wingers that might make sense if the price isn't too steep. Brian Rolston is the name that keeps getting brought up and his leadership is definitely something the Sabres missed last season.

Alex Auld might be the best potential backup goaltender available this July but he may look for a team where he has a shot to become the starter. At the end of the day, an American-born netminder like Brian Boucher or John Grahame could likely sign in Buffalo.

As for trades, the future of guys like Maxim Afinogenov and Ales Kotalik will depend on what acquisitions the Sabres make during free agency. If Buffalo can't find affordable pieces for their puzzle, the likes of Afinogenov and company will likely be shopped around.

OFF THE WALL PREDICTION: After a disastrous offseason in 2007, expect the Sabres to make at least one big splash in free agency. The fans in Western New York need to be reenergized and it's possible the team's players sense things are getting stale as well. Is Miller really going to want to stick around with the status quo? Good managers have to make a big move when they feel they're close to a Cup. One would have to believe the Sabres brass feels they are close.