A playoff spot was probably a little unrealistic this season for a rebuilding Buffalo Sabres team that’s definitely improving in many areas, just not in the standings.

So as the Feb. 29 trade deadline approaches, the Sabres will once again announce themselves as sellers.

"The approach is the same. We’re in 29th place. I do stress that we think we’ve improved greatly everywhere but in the standings," Sabres general manager Tim Murray said over the phone this week.

"This is the process. If I can acquire younger assets or future assets for some of our veterans, especially veterans on expiring contracts, I’m going to pursue that for sure."

That means pending unrestricted free agents will be in play, topped by the likes of winger Jamie McGinn, who could have value to a contender. Defenseman Mike Weber is a pending UFA who can add depth and toughness to a contending lineup. And while I don’t think the Sabres really want to move backup goalie Chad Johnson (also UFA July 1) the Sabres might listen if the right deal comes up closer to Feb. 29, especially given what Linus Ullmark has already proven.

But the biggest name I’ve heard from other teams that the Sabres would listen on is Tyler Ennis, who still has three more seasons left on his contract at a $4.6 million salary-cap hit.

Ennis, 26, has only three goals this season but scored 20 or more goal three times in his career.

The Sabres, meanwhile, were one of many teams scouting the Tampa Bay Lightning's Jonathan Drouin last weekend. I don’t view the Sabres as one of the front-runners but just one of the many, many teams keeping en eye on how that plays out.

Among the many other teams that have talked about Drouin are the St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens.

Jonathan Drouin's agent announced that they asked Steve Yzerman for a trade in November. Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports

The Sens could use a top-six forward injection but not at the cost of Cody Ceci, a right-handed blueliner whom the Lightning, I think, would want as part of a Drouin deal. That’s a no-go for Ottawa. I don’t think the Senators have any interest in moving the young blueliner.

The Wild tried to get Ryan Johansen from the Columbus Blue Jackets, so why not take a shot on Drouin even though he’s not the No. 1 center they covet? Top-six offense in any form is a need for Minnesota. Just not sure the Wild have the right pieces to make it fit with Tampa.

Anaheim can’t score this season for whatever reason. The Ducks have a number of high-end prospects who could fit the bill for Tampa, if indeed Anaheim decides to move on Drouin.

The Blues have lots of depth on defense they can dip into if they decide to make a push for Drouin.

So many teams are trying to size up the third-overall pick from the 2013 draft: Is Drouin definitely going to be a bona fide offensive star or not?

One Western Conference hockey executive I spoke with last week was worried about Drouin’s "east-west" game, which worked great in junior but hasn’t translated well to the NHL level where the speed and back-pressure is unreal.

Can he adjust? Most teams I’ve spoken with believe absolutely he will. He’s that gifted.

Still, how much do you give up now? Lightning GM Steve Yzerman wants equal value for what a third-overall pick with that kind of offensive talent should fetch.

And again, let me stress this: Yzerman is going to trade Drouin when he feels he’s got a deal that’s met his asking price, a deal that’s going to help the Lightning. There’s no clock on it. It will happen when it happens.

Radim Vrbata is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images

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