The Buffalo Sabres are making progress, but not enough to change the course quite yet.

That's the assessment of general manager Tim Murray, who says he remains in sell mode as the NHL's trade deadline approaches.

"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," Murray told Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. "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."

LeBrun floats forward Jamie McGinn, defenseman Mike Weber, and goaltender Chad Johnson as possible candidates to be moved.

To the surprise of many, LeBrun says the Sabres would also listen to offers for 26-year-old center Tyler Ennis - a three-time 20-goal scorer and former first-round pick.

Ennis, as LeBrun notes, has three seasons left on his contract with a $4.6 million annual cap hit.

Despite being on track to add another high-end prospect at the draft, Murray is quite right in his assertion that his club is much improved over last year.

Season GF/GP GA/GP Shots/GP Corsi 2014-15 1.87 3.28 24.2 37.5 2015-16 2.30 2.65 29.7 47.8

The team is led in scoring by Ryan O'Reilly and Jack Eichel, two of this past offseason's key additions, with young players like Rasmus Ristolainen and Sam Reinhart also coming into their own as top-end talent.

On the flip side, however, Evander Kane has contributed only eight goals in 33 games, while expected starting goalie Robin Lehner has been sidelined since Day 1 with an ankle sprain.

Overall, things are looking up for the Sabres, and the ability to add picks or young assets at the deadline should only continue to serve them well.