Rumor: Could the Leafs pull off a blockbuster with the Sabres?

With the perpetually rebuilding Buffalo Sabres headed toward another bottom three finish in the NHL, all eyes are on rookie GM Jason Botterill to fix the problem. The roster built by former GM Tim Murray has clearly not worked with almost everyone on the team underachieving so far this season. This has led to widespread trade speculation that hit a fever pitch on Saturday night when Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Sabres are taking offers on anyone not named Jack Eichel.

The biggest fish in the Sabres pond? Defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen. The 23-year-old Finnish defenceman has gone goalless this season, but has seven assists in 18 games. He’s a big, strong, two-way defenceman who played big minutes and has a reasonable contract… a seemingly perfect fit for the Toronto Maple Leafs. There’s just one problem: the high cost of acquisition.

In his latest article for HockeyBuzz, Sabres and Leafs blogger Mike Augello breaks down a potential Leafs trade package for Ristolainen that includes sniper William Nylander. Of course, Nylander’s young brother Alex Nylander is in the Sabres system, as well. Would this intrigue Botterill enough to make a move? In Augello’s own words:

“Would Nylander be an intriguing possibility for the Sabres (with younger brother Alex one of their top prospects) or might Botterill prefer a package of prospects, including names like Timothy Liljegren and Kasperi Kapanen?”