Sabres GM Regier cautions more 'suffering' could be in store in rebuilding team

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller waves to the crowd after an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders in Buffalo, N.Y., Friday, April 26, 2013. Miller, who started his 500th NHL game, helped the Sabres beat the Islanders, 2-1. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert) (The Associated Press)

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller looks out from the bench before an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders in Buffalo, N.Y., Friday, April 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert) (The Associated Press)

Having gained ownership's backing to continue rebuilding the Buffalo Sabres into contenders, general manager Darcy Regier is short on specifics on how long it might take.

Asking for patience, the only assurance Regier could make on Monday was in cautioning that more "suffering" might be in store before the job is complete.

Regier has not yet determined whether interim coach Ron Rolston will take over on a full-time basis next season.

And he's not sure whether his start-from-scratch plans will include keeping goalie Ryan Miller and leading scorer Thomas Vanek.

Regier, at least, isn't going anywhere despite the Sabres (21-21-6) missing the playoffs for a second straight year. Team president Ted Black opened an end-of-season news conference by announcing the GM will be back for a 16th year.