Both players are rumored to be in consideration for not being qualified but still possess plenty of intrigue. Edmonton needs a defenseman with wheels and Buffalo needs forward help, eventhough AA will be flipped here .

While the Jackets don’t necessarily need “defense”, they do need power play help and more offense, Ristolainen is one of the better point producers from the blue line and is one of the best PP defenseman in the league since 2016-17 (11th in PP points) The Jackets Achilles Heel for years has been the power play, and they really lack another guy with the ability to run a second unit that would allow Jones and Werenski to play on the top unit with Ristolainen leading out the second group. The team was also very interested in Athanasiou at the TDL but the deal fell through likely because he was an option at center and wing and has blazing speed.

Buffalo needs a physical forward and a RW, Anderson is both. Buffalo also could use a shutdown top four Defensive defenseman which Savard fills a need, although he’s coming off a down year.