Risto, Finns Up

Buffalo Sabres restricted free agent and his Team Finland squad player Team Sweden is a World Cup of Hockey exhibition game in Helsinki on Thursday.

Finland won 3-2 on an Olli Maata OTGWG.

Thanks, World Cup

Former Buffalo Sabres keeper allowed all three Finalnd goals on just 13 shots faces. Enroth replaced Swedish starter Jacob Markstrom at 8:45 mark of the second period.

Ristolainen logged 26.5 minutes TOI as Finland's number one defender.

The song remains the same for the unsigned RFA.

Riatolainen will compete in the World Cup because he is covered by special insurance that will protect him in the event that he suffers injury.

There has been no change in the status of Ristoalinen's contract status with the Sabres.

Last week, a Finnish report stated that Risto is confident that he will be re-signed to a long term contract once the World Cup draws to a conclusion on October 1.

Risto is not the lone wolf unsigned RFA competing at the 2016 World Cup.

Anaheim's Hampus Lindholm and Winnipeg's Jacob Trouba are in the same " in limbo" situation. Tampa's Nikita Kucherov is an unsigned RFA as well. Jack Eichel's Team North America line mate Johnny Gaudreau is also waiting patiently for his new contract to be finalized by his Calgary Flames.

In Ristolainen's case,there is no reason to panic. He will be signing his long term, lucrative contract after the World Cup tourney concludes.

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Congrats on your memorable career, Goose!

"After 14 years as a professional hockey player, I have decided to move on to the next chapter of my life and career. It has been an honor and a privilege to play in the AHL and NHL, and I am forever grateful for the amazing friendships and memories I’ve made during this journey. Thank you to my talented teammates and coaches for helping me throughout the years. I will always remember and cherish our time together. And, of course, I want to express my appreciation to the incredible organizations I played for, as well as the fans in Rochester, Buffalo and Nashville that supported us. A special thank you to my wife, family and friends that have helped and supported me, from a kid at a local Portland rink dreaming of playing in the NHL, to all of the ups and downs of a pro career. Although I will miss the competition and camaraderie of playing in the NHL, I’m excited to spend more time with my beautiful family and help my three sons pursue their dreams." @danigaustad06 @phillip__gaustad @buffalosabres @predsnhl @amerkshockey @winterhawks

A photo posted by Paul Gaustad (@paulgaustad28) on Sep 8, 2016 at 11:02am PDT