Buffalo Sabres Eye Rasmus Ristolainen Ahead of Trade Deadline

The Buffalo Sabres have shifted their trajectory this season, moving from the depths of the Eastern Conference standings to a position where they could finally break their 14-year playoff drought. This unexpected surge has prompted General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen to reconsider the team’s strategy as the NHL trade deadline approaches on March 6.

With the Sabres now contending for a top-three spot in the Atlantic Division, it seems improbable that they will part ways with pending unrestricted free agent winger Alex Tuch. However, there are several trade possibilities on the table for Kekalainen as he looks to bolster his roster.

One area of focus has been the need for defensive depth on the right side, particularly with Michael Kesselring sidelined multiple times this season and Conor Timmins recovering from a broken leg. Speculation has centered around former Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, whose name has circulated in trade discussions throughout the season. His stock has risen following a strong performance for Finland, where he partnered with Florida’s Niko Mikkola at the Winter Olympics earlier this month.

Ristolainen, 31, spent eight seasons in Buffalo, logging significant ice time despite being part of a struggling team. He was traded to Philadelphia in 2021 in exchange for a first-round pick (Isak Rosen), a second-round pick (Anton Wahlberg), and defenseman Robert Hagg. Unfortunately, his last three seasons have been marred by injuries, which could influence Flyers GM Danny Briere to retain some of Ristolainen’s $5.1 million salary to enhance his trade value.

The trade buzz intensified when WGR 550’s Schopp and Bulldog afternoon show discussed the possibility on Friday. Additionally, a Sabres scout was spotted at the Flyers-Bruins game in Philadelphia on Saturday, further fueling speculation. While Ristolainen has another year left on his contract, Kekalainen may lean towards acquiring a rental defenseman like Connor Murphy or Luke Schenn. Still, his past experience with Ristolainen could play a crucial role as the deadline approaches.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.