Buffalo Sabres fans hoping for a reunion with defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen before Friday's NHL trade deadline probably aren't going to get their wish barring a significant reduction in the Philadelphia Flyers' asking price.
Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff reported Tuesday the Flyers are seeking a first-round draft pick and additional asset(s) in exchange for the former Sabres star, who joined the Buffalo organization as the No. 8 overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft.
"If they don't get it they are fine keeping him given his play," Di Marco wrote.
Ristolainen, who's now 31 years old, has become far more defensively responsible since being traded from Western New York to Eastern Pennsylvania in 2021. It's come at the cost of his offensive contributions, which peaked at 45 points in 79 games for the Sabres in 2016-17.
The Finnish blueliner has recorded just 29 points (six goals and 23 assists) in 117 appearances across the past three seasons in Philly. He's also battled a variety of injuries.
As it stands, the Flyers don't feel like a full-blown deadline seller because they sit just four points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Ristolainen also remains under contract for next season, which lessens the urgency to make a deal for general manager Daniel Briere.
Rasmus Ristolainen is likely out of the Buffalo Sabres' price range ahead of 2026 NHL trade deadline
Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen is definitely in the market for a defensive upgrade ahead of the deadline, but the situation isn't dire enough where a substantial overpay is necessary.
Buffalo's defense corps has been hampered by injuries to Michael Kesselring and Conor Timmins throughout the campaign. Kesselring has returned but hasn't played up to his prior standard with the Utah Mammoth. He may not return to full strength until next season.
Meanwhile, Timmins remains without a firm timetable to return from a lower-body injury. That's left Zach Metsa and Jacob Bryson to fill the third-pair void. While Metsa has enjoyed some encouraging moments, it's certainly an area that can be improved via trade.
Ristolainen made a lot of sense on paper. The 6-foot-4, 208-pound defender brings the physical edge Buffalo has been searching for, and his vast improvement in his own zone since last wearing a Blue and Gold jersey would provide a welcome boost.
Yet, giving up not only a first-round selections but also more assets, whether it be young roster players, prospects or more picks, feels like too much for a defenseman with obvious limitations.
In addition, while his $5.1 million salary-cap hit is doable for Buffalo this season, it would cause further headaches over the summer with Kekalainen already facing a tight financial outlook for 2026-27.
It's possible Philadelphia would be willing to retain some of the salary. That would simply increase the already high price tag even further, however.
Ultimately, it's too early to completely rule out a Ristolainen return to the Sabres, but it's hard to imagine it'll happen unless the Flyers soften their stance over the next few days. Perhaps it'll change as the trade market for defensemen comes into clearer focus.
Buffalo may be better off trying to land a short-term rental — there are a variety of different options — in order to maintain as much cap flexibility as possible heading into the offseason, though.