“If there is a position that we’re focused in on it’s probably in the middle still,” Buffalo General Manager Darcy Regier said. “Tyler Ennis obviously did an excellent job, and so did Cody Hodgson. Derek Roy is a known commodity. You can look at a size factor, and that’s certainly one area we’re looking in.”

“I’m not talking about a one-year fix or a player that is going to be looking at becoming an unrestricted free agent and you don’t think you’re going to have the ability to sign and keep, then you’re going to lean more toward the draft,” Regier said. “If you have the opportunity to add someone who’s either under contract or is a high-profile player at a reasonable – whatever reasonable accounts for these days – cost, then certainly that’s something we’ll pursue.”

“I know there are going to be rumors about me and Z (defenseman Zbynek Michalek),” Martin said. “I’ve talked with Z. We both want to stay. We both went to Pittsburgh because we wanted to win, and we still want that. I love the city. I love the passion of the fans. I love the team. It’s on me to play better, and I realize that.”

“I’d be lying if I said I don’t think about them,” Martin said. “Do I think the same team is going to be back in Pittsburgh next year? No. But I hope I’m one of the guys who is back. I want to prove to myself and to reestablish to everyone the player that I am. Ray is a good GM. I can’t control what he’s going to do.”