Rakell has so much value, young, can play all forward positions, 30 goal scorer, great contract, it would have to be Ristolainen + Nylander + pick for Anaheim to even consider trading their best forward.

I am not sure why Sabres fans want to get rid of Ristolainen so badly? He has a pretty decent contract and he is a pretty solid top-4 right-handed defenseman.

Because Buffalo media told them to and they all follow blindly

Maybe Nylander but not Nylander and a pick. Risto has way more value than people on here want to believe

Your GM is a reasonable smart hockey person. I doubt he would be looking to trade what is basically his top pairing right hander.

Other than trading their 1st round pick which Botterill wouldn't do at this time the Sabres haven't much else in value to trade. They need to produce a second line and overpaying in free agency isn't the answer. Skinner type trades don't happen very often so value for value is the only way they can go. I should add the rumor is Risto asked to be traded...true or false, who knows but Botterill didn't deny it, he said something like he doesn't divulge conversations between him and the players

So do Ristolainen for William Nylander and reunite the 2 Nylanders. I would never think a divisional trade was possible, but then Ottawa and the Leafs made a deal, so who knows? I think it's a fair deal and a good hockey trade for both clubs.

Thats what the Vesey trade was for

That's only part of it of the line....getting a good 2nd line center will cost us a Risto. His name comes up to often and not just in the Buffalo media but the national media. He's available in my mind but I think Botterill learned his lesson with the ROR trade, no need to rush into it unless the right deal presents itself and if it doesn't come along he doesn't have to trade Risto.

They have Mittelstadt so I highly doubt theyre looking into a 2C especially at the cost of Risto

He couldn't handle it last year (in his defense he was thrown in a spot he wasn't ready for) but what makes you think he will be ready this year? He's still young and needs to get stronger and 3rd line center suites him fine for now and whose to say Cozens doesn't surpass him. Cozen's said he'd play wing but prefers to play center. If this is the team we go into the season with it won't be much better than last year.

Botterill doesnt seem likes hes giving up on a kid he drafted that everyone knows was tasked with too much. Plus an offseason makes a huge difference. Botterill went and got him a better winger and Reinhart is probably going to be on his right side, so we will see vast improvements in his play.