"The Toronto Maple Leafs and general manager Kyle Dubas continue to work the phones looking for some help on the blue line. We've heard a couple of names thrown around but now NHL insider Pierre LeBrun has dropped a pretty big name. LeBrun reports that the Leafs have had conversations with the Buffalo Sabres regarding defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. The deal makes sense on a couple of levels right now. Ristolainen could slot right in on the first pairing with Justin Holl and eat up some serious minutes while Morgan Rielly is sidelined. Ristolainen would also add a nice physical presence on the defensive side of things that the Leafs really need at the moment. Of course the one level where it would be tough is from a salary cap perspective. The 25 year old defenseman carries a $5.4million AAV and is signed through the 2021-22 season. While it would help the Leafs long term with not many defenseman signed for next season, it doesn't help right now as the Leafs' literally have no extra cap space at the moment according to Cap Friendly. A package of Tyson Barrie and Kasperi Kapanen would give them the cap space to land Ristolainen, however LeBrun adds that because of the complications it could be a deal that waits until summer time. Would you like to see Ristolainen in a Leafs' jersey?
Pierre LeBrun says Toronto and Buffalo have discussed Rasmus Ristolainen but it would likely need to be an offseason deal. — Sergei (@berezin_goal) February 19, 2020
