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Ristolainen Can Play In 585

July 13, 2013, 7:55 AM ET [138 Comments]
GARTH'S CORNER
NHL news by Garth • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Updated:

Kevin Oklobzija of the D and C reports that Rasmus Ristolainen can play in Rochester this season if he doesnt make the Buffalo Roster in training camp. This according to Risto's Buffalo contract.


The clarification comes this morning from Sabres assistant general manager Kevin Devine, and is presumably due to the NHL contract that the 18-year-old Ristolainen signed on Friday night.When development camp began on Wednesday, Ristolainen said that would be required to return to his team in his native Finland if he didn’t earn a job with the Sabres. He said without hesitation that he would be bound by his Finnish contract.However, as a first-round draft pick, and apparently through terms negotiated in his NHL deal, the Sabres can assign Ristolainen to the Amerks if they so desire.There would be a chance they’d allow him to return to Finland, just as they did with winger Joel Armia. It’s highly unlikely that would happen, however, considering that they believe he’s very close to NHL ready.


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Now that the Sabres have signed D monster Rasmus Ristolainen to his three year entry level contract, its likely that a Nikita Zadorov signing will be soon to follow. That is if you trust history.

Last year on this day, the Sabres inked Zemgus Girgensons (14th overall in 2012 entry draft) to his entry level deal. Five days later, they signed Mikhail Grigorenko (12th overall pick) to his entry level pro contract.

Before he attended Sabres prospects camp in early July 2012, Girgenson was a lock to attend a premiere NCAA hockey program. While in Buffalo, however, Girgensons fell in love with the Sabres and the rest is history.

Girgensons opted to sign and turn pro rather than attending the University of Vermont. He started he was the youngest player in the AHL at 18 years of age last season. Girgensons fell in love with Buffalo midway through the 2012 prospects camp.

Seeing definitely was believing for the gritty center man.

"I always felt that the NCAA was the best way for me to develop on and off the ice. After attending the Buffalo Sabres camp, and learning their plans for me, I feel I am ready to begin my professional career."


In some respects, Girgensons situation from last July is very similar to what Rasmus Ristolainen is going through right now. Earlier this week, Ristolainen said that in the event that he doesn't make the Sabres roster out of training camp that he would return home to play with TPS Turki, his hometown team. At the NHL draft, Ristolainen said that he had no contractual obligations overseas. This week, he spoke of his Turku option. Darcy Regier said Friday night, three hours before the Ristilainen contract announcement, Darcy Regier said that that the D man's Buffalo Sabres contract will dictate where the Ristolainen will play next season, not his Turku contract.


Ristolainen told me after Friday's Blue & Gold scrimmage that he really enjoyed his time in Buffalo. In the room, he meshed well with his teammates. On the ice, he was a difference-maker, especially while he was he paired with Jake McCabe.


Darcy Regier and Kevin Devin know great talent when they see it. My guess is that Ristolainen will be in Buffalo's top seven group once training camp ends in September.

“We felt that it was important to get Rasmus under contract quickly so that we could start the development process right away,” Regier said in the official team press release.

“He’s a very mature defenseman for his age and will have every chance to compete for a roster spot in training camp.


Zadorov was equally as impressive in his first prospects camp as Ristolainen and McCabe were. He delivered big checks in the scrimmage and never seemed out of position on the ice. He crept down the wall and joined the offensive on nearly every shift. He communicated very well with his D partner during shifts. This kid's got the whole package, just like Ristolainen. It won't surprise me at all when Buffalo announces the Zadorv signing, which may come as early as this weekend. He will go back to the London Knights to continue his reign of terror on the Ontario Hockey League.

Like marble pillars, Zadorov and Ristoalinen are huge building blocks for this evolving Sabres team.
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