Buffalo Sabres: No Deadline for Rasmus Ristolainen Deal
By Paul Taylor
Even with less than two weeks until the start of the regular season, Buffalo Sabres’ general manager Tim Murray has set no deadline to negotiate a new contract with Rasmus Ristolainen.
When Rasmus Ristolainen reported to camp on Thursday to skate with his Buffalo Sabres‘ teammates, it came with renewed optimism that a contract could be agreed sooner rather than later. However, as far as Tim Murray is concerned, he is setting no deadline for agreeing a new deal, even with the regular season nearly here.
The Sabres’ general manager appeared Friday on WGR550, to discuss the matter with Mike Schoop and the Bulldog: “We’ve been talking for a long time, and they have an argument and we have an argument.
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“I don’t have a timeline, but really in fairness, there hasn’t been a deadline yet. There are looming deadlines now, so we’ll see where that takes us.”
According to speculation, the two sides are still nowhere near each other. As a result, fans are understandably fretting about how much longer the matter will drag on.
From Murray’s point of view, he doesn’t sound particularly concerned: “As long as the talks are ongoing, something good could happen.
“If the talks ever break down and one side gets pissed off or doesn’t think their being treated fairly or negotiations aren’t going in the right direction that you have to worry, we’re certainly not at that place yet nor do I expect to be.”
Objectively speaking, the fact Ristolainen actually wants to skate with his teammates theoretically has to count for something, even if he can’t actually play at this point. Certainly, Murray wasn’t surprised by his request to join the team.
Murray said: “He’s a hard-working, diligent young person on and off the ice, and he wants to skate. This is the easiest place on his behalf to skate, he lives two minutes away.”
Cynics have questioned the motivation behind the defenseman wanting to be in camp while negotiations are ongoing. However, as far as Murray is concerned, there is no issue on either side.
Murray said: “I don’t believe from their end that by him showing up we’d get pressure from the press or anything like that. I don’t think that was their intention, and certainly it’s not our intention to get him in here and start to lament that he doesn’t have a contract.
“I’m sure there are slight downsides from both sides, but I don’t see them. I think it was the right decision.”
One thing we do know, is that both sides would prefer to agree a long-term deal. However, publicly at least, Murray insists the Sabres are flexible.
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Murray said: “We’re open to listening to what they’re needs are. We’re open to a short-term deal, we’re open to a bridge deal, we’re open to a long-team deal.
“You try to accommodate your player up to a certain point. You just can’t give him what he wants, but you try to accommodate the players, you try to be fair, and you hope that after he signs the deal he’s happy.”
Overall, Ristolainen’s value cannot be underestimated, especially after enjoying a breakout campaign last season. He set career highs for goals (9), assists (32) and overall points (41) and was excellent on the power-play, where he contributed 21 of his total points.
In addition, the Finland native proved his durability by playing in all 82 games and leading the team in average ice time (25:17). He’s a physical player with upside, and the sooner the Sabres get him under contract, the better for everyone.
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What’s your take on the Ristolainen situation? Do you expect a deal to be agreed soon, or are you concerned the matter could extend into the regular season? Let us know in the comments section below.