It’s becoming a late summer annual tradition in Buffalo. We hear about and discuss how the Buffalo Sabres are going to do a better job limiting the minutes of defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. Multiple coaches and general managers have indicated this is their plan heading into the season.
We’re still waiting for that scenario to unfold.
This season is no different. Through 15 games Ristolainen is averaging 25:10 time on ice per game played. To be fair, that is down from 26:30 in the 2017-18 season and 26:28 in the 2016-17 season, but not anywhere close to where it should be.