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BUFFALO, N. Cassius Marsh .Y. -- These arent sunny days for the Buffalo Sabres. Theyre off to an NHL-worst 2-10-1 start, have two players currently suspended and Sunday night traded star scorer Thomas Vanek to the New York Islanders. But longtime general manager Darcy Regier doesnt want to consider himself under pressure, despite his current situation. "I dont do well with that word," Regier said. "I think theres a better word. Is it a bigger challenge? Yeah. Id substitute the word challenge for pressure." As far as challenges go, its a monumental one. Regier is in the midst of trying to rebuild a roster around a young core without losing the support of fans, ownership and his veteran players. Trading Vanek was another step in that process, which could include shipping out franchise goaltender Ryan Miller and others before the March trade deadline. Its up to Regier get the best return out of such moves. "If youre under so much pressure, its paralysing, so you cant operate that way," he said. "You have to operate as though its a challenge and its something that you have to get done as a part of our team thats working on this. And you have to find the enjoyment in doing your work." Its not enjoyable for Regier or any man in his position to hear home fans chanting for him to be fired. But with Buffalo in the Atlantic Division basement after failing to qualify for the playoffs the past two years, that frustrated sentiment is certainly expected. Lindy Ruff, who coached the Sabres for 14 full seasons before being fired in the middle of 2013, gets it. "I understand where theyre at," said Ruff, whose Dallas Stars were in Buffalo to face the Sabres on Monday night. "Its tough to see where the team is at in the standings, but I watch how these players play and how some of the young players play and I think theres a lot of promise there." Its a long rebuild, and one Vanek told reporters in Uniondale, N.Y., that he didnt really want to be a part of. Regier knew Vanek would not re-sign, so he took a major step toward the future by acquiring winger Matt Moulson, a first-round pick in 2014 and a second-rounder in 2015 from the Islanders. "I dont want to show any lack of respect to our fans, but internally its just doing the work and focusing on what our plan is and trying to execute it as well and as soon as possible," he said. "I dont love where we are. I love what were doing and I believe in the direction were going in." That plan includes stockpiling draft picks. The Sabres have 17 first- or second-round picks from 2012 through 2015, the most in their history, something that is by design. Buffalos two first-round picks from 2012, Mikhail Grigorenko and Zemgus Girgensons, and 2013, Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov, are all getting NHL experience right now. Thanks to the trades of Vanek to the Islanders, Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild and Robyn Regehr to the Los Angeles Kings, the Sabres have two first-round picks and three second-rounders in Junes draft, and one first and three thirds in 2015. "With where our hockey club is the first and second-round picks are important," Regier said. "Whether we use the picks to select players at the draft or whether we use them to continue to improve the hockey club as we go forward through this season is yet to be determined." Its also yet to be determined how many early picks the Sabres will have by the time theyre done dealing. Like Vanek, Moulson is a pending unrestricted free agent, so its very realistic to think he goes to a contender by the deadline in exchange for more selections and/or prospects. Moulson isnt worrying about that right now, preferring a "day-to-day" approach. "Being from Mississauga Im well-acquainted with Buffalo. I used to love coming to Bills games," he said. "Its a great city and who knows, it could be for a long time. Well see what they have in store." Of course the biggest question surrounding the Sabres roster has to do with Miller, the 33-year-old goalie who has been a franchise cornerstone since he became the starter in 2005-06. Miller is in the final season of a US$31.25-million, five-year deal and figures to generate significant interest in the trade market. "I think any time a player plays better, you get more and when he plays poor, you get less," Regier said. "I think that will happen. I think its obviously good for our organization, its great for Ryan and it means a lot." Miller has a no-trade clause that allows him to block a move to eight teams. Asked if he had received any inquiries about Miller, Regier said: "I probably talk to a third of the league of my counterparts on a weekly basis. You end up talking about a lot of things." Impending free-agents Steve Ott, Cody McCormick and Henrik Tallinder could be talked about, too. What the Vanek trade showed is that the Sabres are open for business, and players know it. "Everybodys job is kind of up in the air right now," said Ott, who became the full-time captain after the trade. "I dont think anybody has a free pass in trying to rebuild and I guess you could say restructure the whole organization and thats something right now we can only control what you can control as a player, and thats something Im planning on continuing to preach to the team." Regier said its "too early" to know what value veterans could have in the coming months. "Teams, I think theyre dealing with a very heavy October schedule, which is a little bit unusual that were getting because of the Olympics," he said. "There are quite a few injuries around the league, so in some cases theyre waiting for players to get back, get healthy and get back before they start to assess what their needs are. But I would also say that theres probably more conversations now than there have been in the past." Regiers focus is on getting younger and relying on his scouting staff to find the next-generation versions of Vanek, Pominville, Regehr and others. Its very different from the task of building and retooling a playoff team. "Its a process that you work through," Regier said. "And it is exciting when you can get young players and you can see them grow. The hard part is when you dont win games while theyre growing, and it makes it difficult. But the nature of this business is short-term pressures and its a long-term plan that is going to get it done." Paul Richardson Jerseys .J. -- After getting permission from his 7-year-old daughter, New York Giants offensive lineman David Diehl has retired after an 11-year career that included two Super Bowl championships. Anthony McCoy . The (11-11-4) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 26 points.  Fifth place Dallas and sixth-seeded Nashville also have 26 points, but the Stars have three games in hand on Winnipeg while Nashville has two.AUSTIN, Texas -- No. 6 Kansas was rolling. The Jayhawks had won seven consecutive games to move to the top of the Big 12. They looked ready to cruise to another league title. So much for that idea. One trip down to No. 25 Texas showed the conference race is far from over. Wayne Selden Jr. scored 21 points, but Kansas struggled for much of an 81-69 loss to the Longhorns on Saturday. Isaiah Taylor scored 23 points and Jonathan Holmes had 22 as Texas earned its sixth consecutive win and pulled within a game of Kansas about halfway through the Big 12 schedule. "It was pretty much a dominating performance by the Longhorns over us today," Kansas coach Bill Self said. The Longhorns (17-4, 6-2), who lost their top four scorers from a 16-18 squad a year ago, have been the surprise of the Big 12 this season. Texas thumped the Jayhawks (16-5, 7-1) with suffocating defence that held the Big 12s best shooting team to 39 per cent from the floor. Kansas freshman Andrew Wiggins of Vaughan, Ont., who averaged 24 points over the previous three games, scored seven before fouling out late. The Longhorns outshot and outrebounded the Jayhawks, had 12 blocks, and once they built a double-digit lead, never left Kansas an opening to rally. "We didnt come with a lot of energy tonight. That was the result," Jayhawks forward Perry Ellis said. Taylor, a freshman guard who scored 27 a week earlier against Baylor, continued to slash his way through the Jayhawks for layups and floating jumpers, while Holmes hit from inside and outside. Holmes also went 9 for 10 from the free-throw line. Cameron Ridley added nine points, 10 rebounds and four blocks for Texas, winning his battle under the basket with Joel Embiid, Kannsas 7-foot centre. Russell Okung Jersey Seattle Seahawks. . Prince Ibeh also had four blocks. "We know its a long season," Selden said. "Well get back to Lawrence, regroup." The first half was pure frustration for the Jayhawks, who came in shooting 51 per cent as a team. Nothing, not even the open shots, seemed to find their way in the basket. Texas zone defence held the Jayhawks to 8-of-31 shooting in the half. Taylor and Holmes each scored 11 points and Ridley used his powerful body to push around the slender Embiid. When Holmes blocked a shot, grabbed the loose ball and raced up the court for a layup, the Jayhawks Frank Mason met him at the basket with a hard foul and the two players had to be separated. Kansas Brannen Greene was then whistled for a technical foul. Holmes made three of four free throws and Texas led 38-23 at halftime. Texas blew it open early in the second half with an emphatic basket by Ridley: a one-step, two-handed dunk over Embiid. Ridley converted the three-point play and Texas led 47-27. Kansas finally answered with consecutive 3-pointers but the Jayhawks couldnt piece together a run that could pull them close. Texas simply wouldnt let them. Holmes had a key 3-pointer and followed it with another tough layup. Demarcus Holland had the task of guarding Wiggins most of the game and despite giving up six inches, did a masterful job of frustrating the freshman into a rough shooting night. Wiggins fouled out with just over two minutes left, ending a 2-for-12 performance from the field. Holland also grabbed a team-high 11 rebonds. "I tried to box him out every opportunity," Holland said. "Cam and Prince were scaring him and he was settling for jump shots." cheap jerseys cheap jerseys from china ' ' '