Report: Interest in Ristolainen picking up after Trouba trade

With the Jacob Trouba deal in the rearview mirror, the league's focus has reportedly shifted to another defenseman.

Interest in Rasmus Ristolainen of the Buffalo Sabres has picked up over the past 24 hours, according to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun, who adds Buffalo won't deal the blue-liner unless the package is "absolutely right."

Ristolainen has three years left on his contract and carries an annual cap hit of $5.4 million.

The 24-year-old eclipsed the 40-point mark for the fourth straight season in 2018-19. He also led the Sabres in average ice time with 24:38 per game, good for ninth in the NHL.

The Winnipeg Jets sent Trouba to the New York Rangers on Monday in exchange for rearguard Neal Pionk and a 2019 first-round pick.

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