I don't buy trading Gaustad as the beginning of the rebuild. If Regier doesn't get insane value and get's a 3rd round pick instead does it still signify a rebuild? Pominville would be the move that started Darcy's rebuild but Darcy isn't the GM anymore so you can easily say the true rebuild didn't start until Tim Murray took over as GM. Especially since other than Girgensons any prospect we picked up over the last 2 years could be traded away if Murray wasn't high on them. And as much as people wont like to hear this some of the prospects from the last 2 drafts WILL be traded away. And that could include Ristolainen or Zadorov. So to me this year was the first real year of the rebuild and I think '17-'18 would likely be the earliest year the Sabres make the playoffs which would be right in line with what Murray wants as far as rebuild length.