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Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray has released five players from his roster.
The Sabres have finalized their 23 man roster.
The Rochester Americans will benefit from teh addition of forwards Nicholas Baptiste, Daniel Catenacci and Alexander Nylander.
Nylander, the high-skill / high octane left winger was the eighth overall selection at the NHL draft in Buffalo in June.
Nylander should not feel badly about being sent to the AHL. He's only 18 years old and can benefit from playing in all situations like his brother William had dome in AHL Toronto last season.
Nylander makes his professional hockey debut Friday night in Rochester's home opener against the Hershey Bears.
Nylander played for the AHL Mississauga Steelheads last season, where he scored 28 goals, 47 assists for 75 points in 57 games.
Why can an 18 year old play in the AHL?
Because Nylander was on loan to Mississauga from his club team in Sweden, he is now eligible to play in AHL Rochester this season, despite being only 18 years of age.
Nylander is the exception and not the rule.
Players tha are drafted from Canadian Major Junior League teams (OHL, QMJHL, WHL) cannot participate in AHL games until they reach age 20.
Nylander will get every chance show his head coach Dan Lambert and Tim Murray his skills and his compete level.
Defenseman Justin Falk has also been sent to Rochester after clearing through waivers.
Defenseman Brendan Guhle has been returned to the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL).
The Sabres now have 23 players (14 forwards, 7 defensemen and two goaltenders) on their roster
Center Derek Grant, winger Hudson Fasching, and defenseman Casey Nelson will start the season on Buffalo's 23 man roster.
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Tim Murray has confirmed to John Vogl of the Buffalo News that Rasmus Ristolainen's contract extension is completed.
Bob McKenzie of TSN cites the financials as 6 years and $5.4M AAV.
Rasmus Ristolainen has signed the Seth Jones contract.
he Columbus Blue Jackets signed Jones to his new 6 year, $32.4 million contract in the spring. Ristolainen and Jones are very much alike in that they are number one, right shot D who munch big minutes and play in all situations.
I had Ristolainen pegged at six years and $36 million.
“Rasmus has already proven to be a pivotal player on our blue line, and we are eager to have him back with the team,… Sabres General Manager Tim Murray said. “This deal is a reflection of the hard work and improvement Rasmus has shown since being drafted, and we hope to see him continue on this trajectory moving forward", Murray said.
Ristolainen will be in the starting lineup on Thursday night when the Sabres host Montreal.
Way to Finnish your work, Tim.
Ristolainen created a hockey buzz when he reported to Buffalo on last Thursday in what was regarded as a sign of good faith.
Ristolainen had spent the two previous weeks in Nearby Toronto competing for his native Finland at the World Cup of Hockey. Why would Ristolainen fly home to Finland when he can stay in his place in Buffalo while working out?
Though he was not allowed to play in exhibition games because wasn't under contract, Ristolainen had been practicing with the team and also taking part in meetings.
That all changed today when Ristolainen was held out of the team practice.
Ristolainen was selected by the Sabres in the first round of the 2013 draft. He is entering his fourth NHL season.
In 2015-16, Ristolainen led Buffalo defenseman with 41 points (9 goals, 32 assists) last season.
He also ranked 10th in the NHL with an average TOI of 25:16 and ninth among NHL defensemen with 202 shots. In September, he represented his native Finland at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto where he averaged 23:02 TOI per game in three tournament games.
Tim Murray now has $3.7 million in available salary cap space to make a trade for Anaheim left D QB Cam Foilwer who is teh owner of a $4M AAV this and next season. Murray might also take a stab at trading for disgruntled Winnipeg D Jacob Trouba who can play right and left D.
The NHL salary cap compliance deadline is close of business today.
Much, much more to come...
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Rasmus Ristolainen is not on the ice practicing with his Buffalo Sabres teammates today.
Is Ristolainen upstairs in the general manager's office signing his new long term contract?
Ristolainen has been skating with his teammates despite having an expired contract. The 21 year old minute munching number one defenseman is an unsigned restricted free agent. Ristolainen and his agent, Mike Liut, are eager to finalize their new contract. Ristolainen is seeking a six to seven year contract that guarantees him a $6 million to $6.5 million annual average value.
Ristolainen has leverage. He seemingly is applying it.
The Sabres open up the 2016-17 season on home ice Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens.
The Sabres will then immediately hit the road for a long western road trip.
Tim Murray must turn in his final 23 man roster tonight at 5 p.m EDT.
Still in camp are Alex Nylander, Derek Grant, Hudson Fasching, Brendan Guhle, and Casey Nelson are youngsters that are firmly on the bubble.
I like Grant's chances to make the opening night roster. He led the Sabres in preseason scoring with three goals and three assists.
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Good news for Sabres fans. Ryan O'Reilly, Zach Bogisian and Dmitry Kulikov all practiced on Tuesday. ROR did not take part in line rushes. Kyle Okposo didnt participate in the skate.
Here are the trios:
9-15-23 82-22-63 44-27-12 44-27-12 79/52-28-26
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You mean to tell me that Nikita Kucherov is $2 million less per season of a player than Johnny Gaudreau is?
All due respect to Jawney Hawkey but when was the last time he led the Flames to two straight Conference Finals like Kucherov has?
On Tuesday morning, Kucherov signed his new contract with the Tampa Lightning. Kucherov wants 8 years and $8 million per season and he signed for only three years and $4.76M per season.
If I'm Kucherov, I'm looking for a new agent. Kucherov deserves $6 plus million per season. He has earned the reputation as being a clutch sniping forward. In 211 career regular season games, Kucherov has scored 67 goals and 81 assists for 148 points. He scored 30 goals and 36 assists last season. He has also scored 22 goals and 20 assists in 45 career playoff games.
Gaudreau has scored 55 goals and 88 assists in 160 career games. He has also chipped in 4 goals and 5 assists in 11 playoff games.
What the hell is going on in Tampa where the core players and stars are taking hometown haircuts to help Steve Yzerman keep the band together. Steven stamkos, victor Hedman and Kucherov have all left a ton of combined money on the table for Yzerman to use to keep his core intact. The Bolts are now in position to advance to yet another Eastern Conference Finals.
Why settle for less than what you are worth, Nikita?
More to come....