Next week, Team Finland will gather for World Cup Of Hockey training camp.
Buffalo Sabres restricted free agent D-man Rasmus Ristolainen doesn't expect to sign his new contract until after the World Cup Of Hockey concludes. The 21 year old Finn told Iltasanomat.fi that he is not concerned about his new contract.
Ristolainen is not distracted by the delay in getting his new deal concluded. Good things take time. In the meantime, he continues to train for theWorld Cup Of Hockey tourney.
Please bear with the Google translation from Finnish to English:
" I have not heard any moment. The situation is ice. However, both parties have a common desire to continue, but we have not been in the context of the moment", Ristolainen said.
Team Finland will start training camp next week and will play their first World Cup of Hockey tourney game on September 17.
Risto is not distracted by the looming new contract.
" I do not believe that the agreement generated before the World Cup", Ristolainen said.
" I realize of course my situation, but it does not bother me. I have honestly not even have time
to think about the contract situation. The focus has been so strongly practice".
Ristolainen will compete for Finland at teh World Cup of Hockey despite being under NHL contract. He is not alone. Calgary's Johnny Gaudreau, Anaheim's Hampus Lindholm, and Winnipeg's Jacob Trouba, and Tampa's Nikita Kucherov and are also RFA. The unsigned players will be covered under by supplemental insurance during the tourney.
I've reached out to Risto's agent, Mike Liut, several times this summer.
When he finally does sign the new contract, it will be one of the richest contracts handed out to an RFA D-man in this off season.
Ristolainen played in all 82 games last season, scoring 9 goals and 32 assists for 41 points. Risto logged the tenth highest TOI with 25:16. He will anchor the right side of Buffalo's top D pair for many seasons top come. Who he will play with this season is yet to be determined.
Suffice to say, Risto's $925K AAV will elevate considerably in the month of September.
I have Ristolainen pegged to receive a six year, $36 million contract extension.
" All will be resolved in time. Time is very well, so I'm not worried", Ristolainen said.
When it's all said and done, Ristolainen will likely become the highest paid Finnish rear guard in the NHL today.
Pittsburgh Penguins Finnish defenseman Olli Määttä , 22, was re-signed last February to a six year and $24.5 million contract extension.
Risto's comparables are:
Doggie Hamilton's $5.75M AAV.
Tyson Barrie's $5.5M AAV.
Seth Jones and his $5.4M AAV.
Morgan Reilly and Danny DeKeyser at $5M AAV.
Risto is cooler than the other side of the pillow. He won't sweat the details. He and his agent know and understand his value to the Sabres. Risto told me several times last season that he really enjoys playing for Dan Bylsma and his D coach Terry Murray. He expects to elevate his overall play and leadership contributions this season. Sabres fans should be excited for Ristolainen and his impressive evolution. I honestly see a day in the near future when Ristolainen will be mentioned as a Norris Trophy candidate for the NHL's best defenseman. That's how great a player he really is.
Risto is leaving the nitty gritty and contract talk to his agent and Tim Murray
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