Buffalo Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is likely surveying the market for a potential blue line upgrade ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline amid injuries to defensemen Michael Kesselring and Conor Timmins.
One of the most notable names available ahead of the March 6 deadline is incredibly familiar to longtime Sabres fans: Rasmus Ristolainen.
Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff reported Tuesday that Ristolainen is "very much available for trade" but noted the Philadelphia Flyers so far aren't "actively" shopping him. The asking price, at least for the moment, is likely going to scare away any interested teams away, though.
"What would the price be? Speaking with a source, the Ben Chiarot trade from four years ago to the Florida Panthers would be something along the lines of what they're looking for," Di Marco wrote. "The Montreal Canadiens received a 2023 first-round pick, a 2022 fourth-round pick and prospect Tyler Smilanic in exchange for Chiarot."
That's a lofty demand for a 31-year-old defender who's recorded just 25 points (five goals and 20 assists) in 103 appearances since the start of the 2023-24 season.
Should the Buffalo Sabres consider a reunion with Rasmus Ristolainen via a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers?
Much like Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly, who we discussed at length amid rumors he could also be moved before the deadline, the Ristolainen fit makes sense on the surface.
The Sabres' 2013 first-round selection is a right-shot defenseman who could bring a much-needed physical element in a third-pairing role. He'd also be capable of moving up to the second tandem if Kesselring is unable to shake off the injury woes he's dealt with all season.
Ristolainen spent the first eight years of his NHL career in Buffalo. He made steady progress offensively — he tallied four consecutive 40-point seasons from 2015 through 2019 — and dished out 1,355 hits in 542 games, but his weaknesses defensively were a persistent problem.
The Blue and Gold traded him to Philadelphia in July 2021 in exchange for fellow blueliner Robert Hagg, a 2021 first-round pick (Isak Rosen) and a 2023 second-round pick (Anton Wahlberg).
Is about possible Kekalainen's search for roster upgrades amid the Sabres' recent surge includes talks about bringing Risto back to Western New York? Perhaps, but certainly not at that price.
Ristolainen has spent his time in Philly cleaning up the defensive mistakes that so often plagued him in Buffalo, but it's come at the cost of his previously solid offensive production. He's also battled his fair share of injuries in recent seasons, which is a factor, as well.
It's hard to imagine the Sabres will be willing to pay essentially the same price to get him back as they received to deal him away five years ago, particularly since he'd be ticketed for a relatively small role when the team is at full strength defensively.
If the Flyers' return expectations drop before the deadline and Kekalainen isn't able to find other depth for the blue line, it's possible the idea is kicked around by the Buffalo front office closer to the deadline.
In the bigger picture, it speaks to the failures of the Sabres franchise that players like O'Reilly and Ristolainen have left Buffalo, enjoyed more success elsewhere (including a Stanley Cup for ROR) and are now the focus of trade speculation once again.
Of course, it doesn't stop there as Sam Reinhart, Jack Eichel, Brandon Montour and a host of others from that era of Sabres hockey have proceeded to find ample success with other organizations.
It makes the team's diehard fanbase wonder when the Blue and Gold will finally turn things around and become a contender for the first time in decades.