The New Jersey Devils are reportedly interested in Rasmus Ristolainen

It’s going to be a summer of change in Buffalo.

Everyone already knows that the team could very likely move on from disgruntled captain @Jack Eichel, but Lance Lysowski of the Buffalo News is reporting that defenceman @Rasmus Ristolainen could also be on the move.

Lysowski suggests that the Devils have a glaring need for a right-handed defenceman in their top-four as @Connor Carrick is set to become a free agent this off-season. Beyond that, P.K. Subban has been underwhelming in two seasons with New Jersey and bumping him down a bit lower on the depth chart could help improve his game. Acquiring Ristolianen would help fill that void on the blueline.

Ristolainen was drafted by the Sabres No. 8 overall back at the 2013 draft. Though his underlying numbers are poor, the big Finn has put up points from the blueline and has logged major minutes in eight seasons in the league.

He has a $5,400,000 cap hit for one more season and can hit free agency in 2022. Given how far they are from being competitive, it would make sense for the Sabres to sell on Ristolianen now rather than risk losing him in free agency next summer for nothing.