Insider believes Buffalo is looking to reunite with Top D-Man

The Buffalo Sabers want to make sure their fourteen-year streak of missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs ends this season. The Sabers are currently second in the Atlantic Division; they have a seven-point lead over the Washington Capitals, who are the closest team not currently in a playoff position. They could be buyers, and interestingly enough, the Sabers are the most recent team linked to defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.

The following was stated by insider Elliotte Friedman in the most recent edition of 32 Thoughts: the podcast:

You know who I’m wondering about for Ristolainen… Buffalo is looking for some beef on the blueline… would they ever take him back?

Ristolainen was originally drafted 8th overall by the Sabers in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He played eight seasons in Buffalo, with his final season being the 2020-2021 NHL season. During Ristolainen’s run with the Sabres, he failed to make the playoffs or finish any of those eight seasons with a points percentage above .500.

Ristolainen has a $5.1 million cap hit in the 2026-27 season. Injuries have limited him to just 22 games this year, scoring six points. However, offense is not his calling card. He brings size, physicality and a steady presence at home. With the Sabers struggling defensively and giving up too many goals, adding a player like Ristolainen could help stabilize their blueline and tighten things up in their own zone.

Many other teams also participate in Ristolainen

That said, Ristolainen has been linked to several other NHL teams as of late. Everyone knows that NHL teams love their tall, strong, right-handed defenseman. Some other teams known to be interested include the Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens. In all likelihood, there are even more teams interested than this one.

It looks like Ristolainen will be a hot commodity as the trade deadline approaches. The Philadelphia Flyers will be hoping that the interested teams get into a bidding war over the Finnish Olympian, and that they can reap the benefits of Ristolainen’s strong Olympic performance.

Next: As the Maple Leafs fall out of the playoffs, more names have become available