‘Those who advocate immediate change might argue that the Sabres look like playoff outsiders this season even though they’ve spent close to the salary cap. But why are they close to the cap? Is it Regier’s fault that both Drury and Briere got away, unpopular departures that compelled ownership to match the hefty Thomas Vanek offer sheet to avoid further damage in fan relations? It was ownership — not Regier — that was convinced no team would court Vanek as a Group II free agent. Whoops.’