NHL trade rumors: Philadelphia Flyers’ huge demand for trading Rasmus Ristolainen could kill potential Buffalo Sabres deal

With the NHL trade deadline now upon us, the Buffalo Sabres are a team to keep a close eye on in terms of a defensive boost, as injuries and inconsistent depth at the back have led to speculation about a possible return of Rasmus Ristolainen to the Buffalo Sabres. Former Finnish player and general manager for the Buffalo Sabres, Jarmo Kekalainen, is faced with the same dilemma that all general managers are faced with during the trade deadline: how to improve his team without compromising his future.

The Buffalo Sabres’ defensive woes have been exacerbated by injuries to Michael Kesselring and Conor Timmins, leaving Jacob Bryson and Zach Metsa to step up to the plate, but so far, neither has been able to solidify the defensive position.

Philadelphia Flyers’ trade demands reportedly mirror blockbuster Boston Bruins deal

The potential reunion between Rasmus Ristolainen and the Buffalo Sabres, however, may not come to pass. According to Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff, the Philadelphia Flyers are reportedly asking for a return package like what the Boston Bruins got for Brandon Carlo last season, which included top prospect Fraser Minten, a first-rounder, and another pick from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This could prove costly for the Buffalo Sabres. Rasmus Ristolainen would likely play on the third pairing, which would make giving up a first-rounder difficult if he is not contributing on the team’s top pairing. The Buffalo Sabres have made it clear they are building for the future.

Another factor to consider is the durability of Ristolainen. He has been dealing with injuries his entire hockey career and has not played 82 games in a season since his last with the Buffalo Sabres, the 2015-16 season. Selected eighth overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2013 NHL entry draft, he has played just over a hundred games in the last three years. He was traded by the Sabres to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Robert Hägg in 2021. In 2022, he signed a five-year contract extension with the Flyers.

Despite all of the risk, it appears as though the Buffalo Sabres are still looking to improve their defensive unit before the Friday trade deadline. For head coach Lindy Ruff, it would be a welcome relief to add depth to his defensive unit, specifically to his third defensive pairing, in particular, against the teams in the division, who tend to have a little more weight. Unless the asking price for a trade with the Flyers drops significantly, the Sabres may look elsewhere or hope their players hold up through the stretch run of the season.

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