"Derek Roy admits it's a long shot -- but that's infinitely better than no shot.

The Buffalo Sabres center was thought to be lost for the season in December when he needed surgery to repair a torn quad tendon. He is rapidly improving, however, and hopes to be on the ice again this spring.

"It's a long shot, but I'm trying to get ready for the playoffs," Roy told The Buffalo News this week. "It's something to shoot for. Probably second round would be the best-case scenario."

Roy attended Tuesday's game against Carolina and was walking fine. He needed crutches following the surgery and then dropped to a cane, but he is now strolling unaided. Coach Lindy Ruff said the center could be back by mid-May if the Sabres are still playing.

"Every day I'm trying to make it better," Roy said. "I'm working with some people who know what they're doing. I go to see the doc in the next couple weeks. We'll see if he clears me to do stronger activity, and then we'll see what happens."

Roy was the Sabres' leading scorer when he got hurt Dec. 23 versus Florida. He has 10 goals and 35 points in 35 games."