Jason Botterill is still patiently searching for a second line center.

Anahaim's Rickard Rakell has been on Buffalo's radar since the Fall of 2018.

New Jersey's Taylor Hall is looking for a a new opportunity.

Same for Florida's Vincent Trocheck. Winnipeg has Jack Roslovic and Nik Ehlers to make a deal with the Sabres for Ristolainen.

Philadelphia's Sean Couturier is also in Botterill's cross hairs.

You must have been hammered last night Garth. Whatever your drink of choice is I recommend having less of it before blogging. None would be preferable.

GARTH'S CORNER: Broken Rist
- garth

"As it stands on August 11, Ristolainen Buffalo's third pair right shot D-man"




thanks I needed a laugh

Oh boy. Risto for coots? That’s not Ever gonna happen.

I can see Risto for RNH or Rakell but either of those players it’s gonna have to be Risto ++
- hehateme

I'm soo glad Pistol Pete is no longer around trying to give away our Nuge. Maybe you guys will take Russell off our hands?? Please.

I'm just going to say this... something is holding up Gardiner from signing a deal and the latest rumors (from the TSN guys) mentioned that he likely has a handshake agreement in place with a team waiting on making a trade to free up space. The longer the Risto situation takes and Gardiner sits there, I'm really thinking the Sabres are that team. Gardiner is similar to Risto strengths (offensive output) and deficiencies (turnovers in own end) while lacking the physical presence… but he plays the left side and the Sabres need help on that side offensively (after Dahlin). I would not be the least surprised to see the Sabres sign Gardiner after trading Ristolainen.

Also, I don't think Garth meant Risto for Couturier... he just mentioned that Botterill had eyes for the player. GMs have "eyes" for plenty of guys out there that they are unable to acquire, doesn't mean they don't try to get creative to make it happen.

Risto is definitely NOT the Sabres 3rd pairing RHD... nope, 2nd at worst.

I would like to see the Sabres acquire Mikael Granlund from the Preds, not necessarily for Risto… unless the Preds add to the deal, anyways. Granlund on the final year of his contract after a down year is not worth Risto under team control for 3 more seasons at his current rate. I like Granlund as a 2nd line stopgap center though. Maybe Bogosian (after he recovers) on his final year would be a worthwhile swap for them? Similar contract amounts and Bogo could fill in on their 3rd pairing, which I assume is light on the right side after trading away PK Subban.

I'm just going to say this... something is holding up Gardiner from signing a deal and the latest rumors (from the TSN guys) mentioned that he likely has a handshake agreement in place with a team waiting on making a trade to free up space. The longer the Risto situation takes and Gardiner sits there, I'm really thinking the Sabres are that team. Gardiner is similar to Risto strengths (offensive output) and deficiencies (turnovers in own end) while lacking the physical presence… but he plays the left side and the Sabres need help on that side offensively (after Dahlin). I would not be the least surprised to see the Sabres sign Gardiner after trading Ristolainen.

Also, I don't think Garth meant Risto for Couturier... he just mentioned that Botterill had eyes for the player. GMs have "eyes" for plenty of guys out there that they are unable to acquire, doesn't mean they don't try to get creative to make it happen.

Risto is definitely NOT the Sabres 3rd pairing RHD... nope, 2nd at worst.

I would like to see the Sabres acquire Mikael Granlund from the Preds, not necessarily for Risto… unless the Preds add to the deal, anyways. Granlund on the final year of his contract after a down year is not worth Risto under team control for 3 more seasons at his current rate. I like Granlund as a 2nd line stopgap center though. Maybe Bogosian (after he recovers) on his final year would be a worthwhile swap for them? Similar contract amounts and Bogo could fill in on their 3rd pairing, which I assume is light on the right side after trading away PK Subban.
- djc1877

They already have a really good, younf dman taking that spot; that's why they felt they could trade Subban.

I'm just here to observe some trolling.

Codi Ceci for Ristolainen
- PrinceLH

You can't outgarth Garth.

Hall looking for a new opportunity? Says who? Bro stop making poop up.

Murrency
- Aetherial

PegulaJet

I don't like the thought of trading Ristolainen unless it's for a solid 2nd line center (which is probably unlikely). He is a perfect 2nd line RHD who is on a very reasonable deal and adds toughness to this group.

As far as 2nd line center position goes were already replacing the 20 year old Casey Middlestadt because he had a down year as a 19 year old in the NHL? I don't like that and still view him as the future 2nd line C here for a long, long time. How about instead of replacing him completely we give him a year or 2 to develop on the 3rd line but also rotating on the 2nd this year while we pick up a veteran who can show Casey the ropes like Brian Boyle or Derrick Brassard who are both still UFA, that to me makes a bunch more sense then already replacing a former 8th overall pick completely because he wasn't an all star as a rookie in the toughest league in all of hockey, just my opinions though.

I don't like the thought of trading Ristolainen unless it's for a solid 2nd line center (which is probably unlikely). He is a perfect 2nd line RHD who is on a very reasonable deal and adds toughness to this group.

As far as 2nd line center position goes were already replacing the 20 year old Casey Middlestadt because he had a down year as a 19 year old in the NHL? I don't like that and still view him as the future 2nd line C here for a long, long time. How about instead of replacing him completely we give him a year or 2 to develop on the 3rd line but also rotating on the 2nd this year while we pick up a veteran who can show Casey the ropes like Brian Boyle or Derrick Brassard who are both still UFA, that to me makes a bunch more sense then already replacing a former 8th overall pick completely because he wasn't an all star as a rookie in the toughest league in all of hockey, just my opinions though.
- PuckYourself

Wouldn't Reinhart be better suited to be a center anyways.

Limp RIsto