Sabres Expect Ristolainen at Camp
Rumors of Rasmus Ristolainen being traded out of Buffalo don’t seem to disappear. That said, Sabres general manager Jason Botterill says to expect Ristolainen in training camp next month, according to Buffalo News’ Mike Harrington.
Botterill adds that the Sabres have worked hard to put the defenseman in the best possible situation possible moving forward and make it so he wants to stay. Botterill said:
“Yeah, he wants to win. We also want to put him in a situation where he plays very well, and that’s what we’ve tried to do with some of the acquisitions, add depth to our defense, add competition to our defense.”
source – ‘Sabres insist there’s no change in Rasmus Ristolainen’s status’ – Buffalo News – Mike Harrington – 08/17/2019
With that in mind, don’t think the trade buzz that includes Ristolainen’s name will quiet down. There is still a firm belief that moving him can solve a problem for both the player and the organization who has extra blueliners and could use the forward help.
Update on Laine’s Comments
The comments made by Patrik Laine that he doesn’t know exactly where he’ll play next season have certainly caught the attention of the hockey world. Perhaps people are reading too much into things but it does serve as a reminder that the Winnipeg Jets are prone to an offer sheet or might need to make a move to free up the space they need to sign both Laine and Kyle Connor.
Winnipeg Jets’ Patrik Laine (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Sean Reynolds of Sportsnet believes the comments were made by Laine in an attempt to get the process moving a little quicker. There is no confirmation that any other NHL organizations have reached out to Laine’s side about an offer sheet.
