When the Buffalo Sabres selected Rasmus Ristolainen with the 8th overall pick in 2013, they believed that they were drafting the defenseman that would be the cornerstone to their future blue line. After all, a team without a top level defenseman usually does not go far. Over the past couple of seasons Ristolainen has developed very well and will be looking to improve further this year.
Last season, Ristolainen had it very tough. He was in training to be one of the top defenders for Buffalo’s future, but he kept getting knocked down by the lack of communication and the lack of scoring by the offense.