That is not how I see it. Sounds like from 31 thoughts, Risto or Ghost would come with sweetener

We can agree to see it different, but put yourself in the Sabres' shoes. Why would a team in this position be giving up assets to trade a productive player with only a year left under contract?

Same reason you would be leaking a story to a Sabres beat reporter that the team with the most cap space is interested.
They are trying to create a market for him.
Maybe push a story or two, maybe add a pick or two...whatever brings people to table.

That's not what Lance said. He didn't say to replace Carrick, but that you have a need for RD.

Every game I saw Risto play, he looked good to me. Not superstar good, but far from a dump.

Lance kinda missed the mark there anyway. Carrick can be replaced by pretty much any cheap vet #7D. He's just depth.

From what I can gather, the Devils' larger problem at RD is that they have nobody signed for term and not many right shot defensemen in the prospect pipeline. And Risto doesn't really help with that unless they're convinced that they can get an extension done with him while he's there. Jersey fans, please correct me if I'm mistaken.

16. The Buffalo News’ Lance Lysowski reported that New Jersey had interest in Rasmus Ristolainen. I’d heard similar. I’ve also wondered if the Devils would consider Shayne Gostisbehere, with a sweetener included, but Hamilton makes sense there, too.

Based on his words I'd interpret it as the following:

NJD is interested in acquiring Ristolainen (meaning offering one of those late 2nds you have)
Shayne Gostisbehere is one alternative they could acquire and perhaps even get an asset to take him.
Dougie Hamilton would also work as a way to fill their gaping hole at RHD.

He was good when Mccabe was healthy. Then he gets Covid and his play tanks big time. But yeah he’s been really bad most of his career.

Yea it has more to do with Lance just not being familiar with the Devils roster.

He probably just seen that Carrick was a RD that was a FA and ran with it.

The RD depth issue is with Subban up in a year and Severson up in two years.
But RD is not what they are trying to fill as much as trying to find a top-4 defensive d-man, who can break the puck out to possession forwards.
Ty Smith can play RD, Kevin Bahl can play RD...their most likely draft choices (Hughes and Clarke) were both RDs this year.

Connor Carrick is a non-factor...and his departure doesn't create a hole in lineup.
And Risto is not a defensive d-man, doesn't help possession, has low breakout success rate and is pending UFA.

This is simply a beat reporter getting taken for a walk.

Risto would be in the top 6 in NJ. Hell, Buffalo could take Subban in return since he has one year left. Neither Tennyson or Carrick are signed for their right side and Butcher is just as bad, if not worse than Risto. So even if they didn't trade PK, You'd have Severson, Subban, and Risto on the right side.

I understand that, but why would the Sabres pay to get rid of him when they wont have cap issues and he only has one year left on his deal. Supposedly the Devils are interested in, but it does not seem as a cap dump.

Reilly Walsh is a RD and is one of our top prospects. Case McCarthy plays mostly RD. Kevin Bahl and Ty Smith have played plenty of RD. And their two most likely draft picks (Hughes, Clarke) both RD.

Right/left is not the issue.

Devils need defensive dman who can stop transition, block shots, break out of their zone and maintain possession. Adding Risto (along with 2-3 kids) in top-6 would be too much pressure on Blackwood.

I can only view from Devils perspective. It wouldn’t make any sense to add Risto as rental unless they are sweeteners to take him. Would rather play another rookie or sign a cheap UFA.

Friedman said the Devils were interested so I don't know what to tell you.

My best guess is that it will be similar to Ryan Murray last year.

If the price is too high, Devils will go for someone else

Just because they've played RD doesn't mean they're good at it. Ty Smith is so great on the left side they'd be stupid to play him on the right. Point is actually quite similar to what you said which is that you can't play too many kids on a growing team. Bahl is fine, but not an everyday guy. McCarthy isn't signed yet and only looked okay for BU. Walsh is promising, but still Green.
Point is, Risto would be a top 6 in Buffalo, no questions. Would Devils trade for him? I highly doubt it.

His source is the Buffalo beat reporter

No he confirmed a tweet from a Buffalo reporter.

That’s what I said
Buffalo beat reporter = Buffalo reporter.

The Buffalo reporter said that he was hearing NJ had interest in Risto. Friedge then said that he was also hearing that the Devils were interested in Risto.

Friedman verified the beat reporter's report.

Bingo