Lindy Ruff recently made a key switch to the Buffalo Sabres' power-play unit. No longer

content to have two defensemen in the infancy of their careers on the blue line — Tyler

Myers and Chris Butler — the coach put center Derek Roy at the point with the man

advantage. Ruff said he likes the setup.

There are veteran defensemen with power-play skills available, however. If the Sabres want

one, the clock to get him is ticking.

The NHL's Olympic roster freeze ended at midnight Sunday, giving general managers the green

light to tinker with their personnel. They can't go for long, though. The trade deadline is 3

p.m. Wednesday, meaning teams have 63 hours to ready their roster for playoff success or

long-term building.

Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier has been an active participant in the last-minute

trading frenzy since arriving in Buffalo. He has presided over 11 deadlines, and he's made a

deal at every one.

Some acquisitions were meant for immediate impact: Geoff Sanderson in 1998, Joe Juneau in

'99, Doug Gilmour and Chris Gratton in 2000, and Dainius Zubrus in 2007. Some deals had an eye

on the future: Daniel Briere in 2003 and Brian Campbell in 2008. One is infamous for seemingly

doing neither: Bob Corkum in 2002.

No matter what, deadline time is worth watching.

The standings in both conferences are a jumbled mix of contenders and hopefuls, with only a

few also-rans tossed into the fray. It could mean fewer sellers. Of course, players ranging

from tweaks to splashes abound, so it could be a few days filled with conference calls.

The sellers

Carolina Hurricanes: Carolina has already begun shedding players, sending forward

Matt Cullen to Ottawa before the Olympics. They have a proven scorer on the market in winger

Ray Whitney. They also have what the Sabres may need.

Defenseman Joe Corvo, an unrestricted free agent at season's end, is a power-play regular.

The 32-year-old, who has played just 33 games because of a leg laceration, has four goals and

two assists with the man advantage. He makes $2.625 million, but because it's prorated it

would fit under the approximately $1.16 million in salary cap room the Sabres have available.

Florida Panthers: The new owners sent an open letter to fans saying the Panthers are

not a competitive squad, and "no small changes or quick fixes will do." In other words, no

reasonable offer refused.

The Sabres could use consistent scoring at right wing alongside Roy and Thomas Vanek,

making Nathan Horton (17 goals, 46 points) an intriguing target. The 24-year-old broke his leg

in January but is expected back soon. He has three years remaining on a contract that averages

$4 million a year.

Edmonton Oilers: The NHL's worst team is eager for a makeover. Problem is, they are

the worst for a reason. Players such as Sheldon Souray, Ethan Moreau and Steve Staios are

available, but their performances (seven to 13 points) don't equal their salaries ($2 million

to $5.4 million).

Toronto Maple Leafs: GM Brian Burke loves to get folks talking, and he did so by

acquiring defenseman Dion Phaneuf and goaltender J.S. Giguere before the break. He's probably

not done.

There are rumblings blue-liner Tomas Kaberle, who leads the team with 40 assists (including

21 on the power play), might finally be willing to drop his no-trade clause for an Eastern

Conference team. Big right wing Alexei Ponikarovsky (19 goals, $2.1 million) has an expiring

contract, as does left wing and West Seneca native Lee Stempniak (14 goals, $2.5 million).

Splashes

Jack Johnson, Los Angeles Kings: The 23-year-old helped anchor the United States'

blue line during the Olympics and should be a centerpiece in L.A. However, he was furious in

late January after GM Dean Lombardi called him "awful as a hockey player" while skating for

the University of Michigan.

Saku Koivu, Anaheim Ducks: The 11th-place Ducks are only two points out of a playoff

spot in the West, but they may be ready to add to the future. Koivu, the longtime captain of

the Montreal Canadiens, is finishing his one-year deal worth $3.25 million.

Paul Kariya, St. Louis Blues: The veteran left winger's $6 million contract expires

after the season. He has 12 goals in 56 games.

Peter Mueller, Phoenix Coyotes: The Coyotes need power-play and blue-line help, and

the 21-year-old center and restricted free agent-to-be ($1.7 million) could bring that.

Pavel Kubina, Atlanta Thrashers: The hulking defenseman (6-foot-4, 250 pounds) with

offensive talent (29 assists) has a $5 million contract that is expiring.

Raffi Torres, Columbus Blue Jackets: The Blue Jackets were definite sellers until

firing coach Ken Hitchcock last month, but Torres' 19 goals and $2.25 million contract still

may be had for draft picks.

Tweaks

Dan Hamhuis, Nashville Predators: The Music City's first-round pick in 2001 has 16

points from the blue line and will be an unrestricted free agent ($2 million).

Marek Svatos, Colorado Avalanche: The right winger scored 26 goals two seasons ago,

but he enters an unrestricted offseason ($2.05 million) with only six goals and 10 points.

Ben Eager, Chicago Blackhawks: The tough left winger makes $965,000 and could add

punch to a lineup searching for grit.

Martin Biron and Dwayne Roloson, New York Islanders: With franchise goalie Rick

DiPietro back in the crease, either Biron ($1.4 million) or Roloson (two years, $2.5 million)

are likely to move.