BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Ryan Miller was a no-show at Buffalo Sabres practice Monday because the star goalie was still travelling from the Sochi Games. Though Miller was scheduled to return later in the day and start Tuesday, when Buffalo hosts Carolina, his absence could be something the Sabres will have to get accustomed to with the NHL trade deadline approaching on March 5. A person familiar with discussions told The Associated Press that general manager Tim Murray continues to pursue offers for Miller with the intention of trading him by next week. "Tim is testing the waters as hard as he can," the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because Murray declined to speak to reporters Monday. The person said the teams first option is trading Miller, who is in the final year of his contract and eligible to become an unrestricted free agent. Option No. 2, the person added, would be making a bid to re-sign Miller if a trade cant be completed. Murray, who took over the Sabres last month, had previously not ruled out trading Miller or anyone else on the roster. "This teams in last place right now," Murray said, during his inaugural news conference on Jan. 9. "Everybody can be traded." That means Miller isnt the only player with an uncertain future on a Sabres team that, at 15-34-8, remains in last place coming out of the NHL Olympic break. Captain Steve Ott, veteran winger Matt Moulson and defenceman Henrik Tallinder are also in the final years of their contracts and could be used as trade bait by a team intent on building through youth. Following practice, interim head coach Ted Nolan said it would be safe to assume the Sabres will be active in making trades. "I think thats the key right there, not knowing," Nolan said. "We cant worry about who might be gone, who might be coming in. Today is the day we have to work with what weve got. And tomorrow, whatever weve got here, then well work with that, too." Nolan also had a different take on his thoughts regarding Miller. After previously saying he favoured the Sabres retaining Miller, Nolan said the decision was out of his hands. "My thoughts dont really count right now," Nolan said. "Certainly, what Ryan Miller means to this team and this town, no question youd like to keep him. But its business. And we have to look forward to rebuilding this organization." In 11 seasons in Buffalo, the 33-year-old has set franchise records with 283 wins and 539 games played. This season, Miller has been the teams MVP. With a 14-22-3 record, Miller accounts for all but one of Buffalos victories. His .923 save percentage ranks seventh among goalies with 30 or more starts. Miller won the NHLs Vezina Trophy in 2010, the same year he earned MVP honours at the Vancouver Games, where he played a key role in leading the United States to a silver medal. At Sochi, he was relegated to a backup role behind Los Angeles Jonathan Quick. The Sabres are in a tough spot as far at goaltending entering their game against the Hurricanes (26-22-9). Aside from Miller, backup goalie Jhonas Enroth was also at the Olympics as a backup to Swedish starter Henrik Lundqvist. Nolan made the decision to have Miller start against Carolina because the U.S. has been off since a 5-0 loss to Finland in the bronze medal game on Saturday. Sweden played Sunday when it lost the gold medal game to Canada. The trade deadline has become a hot topic of discussion in the Sabres locker room. "I think you guys in the media as a whole have been telling me Ive been getting traded since the first day I got here," said Moulson, who was acquired in October in a trade that sent Thomas Vanek to the New York Islanders. "Sometimes its a little stressful. But I think when you tell yourself to control what you can control, it kind of calms me down a bit. Im going to go out there and play hard, and whatever happens, happens." NOTES: The game against Carolina was originally scheduled to be played Jan. 7, but postponed after a blizzard hit Buffalo. ... Moulson is scheduled to return after missing four games with an upper body injury. ... Sabres enforcer John Scott broke his stick in anger as he left the ice during practice, and then slammed the gate at the bench behind him on the way to the locker room. Nolan said he asked Scott to leave after he didnt like the way the player was practicing. Tracy McGrady Jersey . As if the individual strands of grey hair or the increasing amount of joint pain werent reminders enough, the impending end of Jeters career is a slap-in-the-face indicator of a generations fleeting youth. Hakeem Olajuwon Jersey . The incident occurred at 6:28 of the first period in Anaheims 6-3 home win over Dallas on Sunday. Garbutt left the penalty box and skated at Penner before leaving his skates to deliver a check. http://www.therocketsofficial.com/Authentic-Austin-Rivers-Rockets-Jersey/ .Michael Briscoe is serving a life sentence for sexual assault, kidnapping and first-degree murder in the death of 13-year-old Nina Courtepatte in 2005. PJ Tucker Rockets Jersey .com) - Nathan MacKinnon scored the winning goal in the shootout as the Colorado Avalanche rallied for a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday. Tracy McGrady Rockets Jersey . Last years runner-up, Sara Errani, also reached the last eight in straight sets. Flipkens converted all four of her break points against Meusburger, and the third-seeded Errani broke Karin Knapps serve five times to win their all-Italian match 6-4, 6-3.HOUSTON -- Right-hander Jerome Williams and the Houston Astros have finalized a $2.1 million, one-year contract. The 32-year-old was 9-10 with a 4.57 ERA in 25 starts and 12 relief appearances last year for the Los Angeles Angels, including a 4-0 record in five September starts. He has a 42-47 record and 4.35 ERA in eight seasons with San Francisco (2003-05), the Chicago Cubs (2005-06), Washington (2007) and the Angels. The deal was completed Thursday, two days after the sides reach the agreement. In addition to the guaranteed salary, Williams can eaarn an additional $1 million in performance bonuses -- receiving the greater amount he earns either for starts or innings.dddddddddddd He would get $200,000 apiece for 12, 15, 20, 25, 30 starts, and $100,000 each for 120 innings and every 10 additional innings through 210. To make room on the roster, the Astros designated infielder Brett Wallace for assignment. The 27-year-old, a first-round draft pick by St. Louis in 2008, had spent four seasons with the Astros and hit .221 last year when he set career bests with 13 homers and 36 RBIs. ' ' '