Buffalo Sabres sign Rasmus Ristolainen to six-year deal
Rasmus Ristolainen and the Buffalo Sabres have agreed on a six-year deal worth over $30 million.
The Buffalo Sabres and defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen have finally agreed to a six-year deal, according to Bob McKenzie. Ristolainen will be paid $32.4 million over the course of the deal, with an annual cap hit of $5.4 million. Seth Jones of the Columbus Blue Jackets got the same deal earlier this offseason.
“Rasmus has already proven to be a pivotal player on our blue line and we are eager to have him back with the team,” Sabres General Manager Tim Murray said, via NHL.com. “This deal is a reflection of the hard work and improvement Rasmus has shown since being drafted and we hope to see him continue on this trajectory moving forward.”
Ristolainen has emerged as arguably the Sabres best defenseman. He set career highs in 2015-16 with nine goals, 32 assists, and 41 points, leading the Sabres in each category. Ristolainen did so while playing 25:17 per night, also a team high. The Sabres drafted Ristolainen with the eighth overall pick of the 2013 NHL Draft, and in 194 career games, he has 19 goals, 46 assists, and 65 points.
While his defense is a concern, Ristolainen is quite productive on offense. His defense has been getting better over the past two seasons. The Sabres perhaps put too much pressure on him early in his career, but he has grown into his role as the Sabres’ best defenseman. Ristolainen frequently faces his opponents’ top offensive players and often has to do so with a less than ideal defensive partner.
His cap hit puts him tied for 33rd among all defensemen with Jones. Ristolainen will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2021-2022 season at the age of 27.
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