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Buffalo Sabres: 3 forwards Arttu Ruotsalainen can supplant

By Sion Fawkes

May 8, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Arttu Ruotsalainen (25) moves the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jake Guentzel (59) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Arttu Ruotsalainen (25) moves the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jake Guentzel (59) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Buffalo Sabres
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 21: Rasmus Asplund #74 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates his goal in the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on November 21, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Forward #3: Rasmus Asplund

Asplund enjoyed a productive IIHF World Championship outing for Team Sweden. However, he has yet to produce offensively at the NHL level. He does have a sound defensive game, which gives him value in the middle six.

Ruotsalainen has the potential to unseat Asplund if he displays more offensive productivity during the NHL season. In such a scenario, Ruotsalainen would start out on the fourth line before working his way up as the season progressed.

Asplund, right now, is too valuable of a player to just lose his spot in the middle six to Ruotsalainen. But next to Mittelstadt, he is the most vulnerable.

light. Related Story. 4 key offseason priorities for Kevyn Adams – 2022

Overall, Ruotsalainen’s productivity combined with stating he plans to remain in the Sabres organization shows he believes there is a future for him in Buffalo. Give him a solid training camp and he could easily start the season on the fourth line. With sound performances, don’t be surprised if he finds his way onto the middle six.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference and Hockey DB)

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