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Sabres need a center, Regier says trade most likely

Buffalo Sabres v Washington Capitals

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 27: Derek Roy #9 of the Buffalo Sabres passes the puck against the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center on March 27, 2012 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

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In the aftermath of yesterday’s Derek Roy-for-Steve Ott/Adam Pardy trade, one thing was clear -- the Sabres need to add depth down the middle.

Roy was a top-two center in Buffalo and, perhaps most importantly, a veteran presence in the lineup. Tim Connolly and Paul Gaustad also left the Sabres over the last year, leaving the team pretty inexperienced at the position.

Currently, Buffalo’s depth chart at center features a pair of 22-year-olds (Cody Hodgson, Tyler Ennis) with 2012 first-round pick Mikhail Grigorenko (18) potentially in the mix.

Ott can play in the middle -- he’s a good faceoff guy -- but said “90 percent” of his career has been spent at left wing.

So, what does GM Darcy Regier plan to do?

Here’s John Vogl of the Buffalo News:

The Sabres failed in their attempt to convert Ville Leino from wing to center last season, so finding a natural pivot is paramount. Tyler Ennis and Cody Hodgson head the Sabres’ depth chart in the middle, but they are both only 22 years old and have not faced the pressure of being a No. 1 center.

“We certainly weren’t looking and aren’t going to move Tyler or Cody,” Regier said, “and will have to address, see if we can get a little bigger in the middle to complement those guys. . . . It’s more likely a trade than it is anything else.”

After looking at what’s left on the UFA market, it’s not surprising Regier will entertain some trades. It’s possible the best five remaining centers are Jason Arnott, Daymond Langkow, Kyle Wellwood, Dominic Moore and Jeff Halpern -- none of which really fit what Buffalo is looking for.

Related: Sabres GM Regier looking for the “right centerman”