Sabres' Colton Parayko trade replacement could be former top-10 Buffalo draft pick

The Buffalo Sabres thought they had Colton Parayko, but then the St. Louis Blues' star defenseman used his no-trade clause to veto the agreement.

That leaves the Sabres with little time before Friday's 3 p.m. ET trade deadline to get something done. There is at least one option out there, though.

The guy they could pursue is Rasmus Ristolainen, their former first-round draft pick who now plays for the Philadelphia Flyers.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman shared on his podcast on Monday that the Sabres would make sense for a reunion with Ristolainen.

As the week has gone on, that rumor has persisted.

MORE: Avalanche traded away, traded for defensemen born on exact same day

He was originally the No. 8 overall pick by the Sabres in the 2013 NHL Draft.

Ristolainen spent his first eight NHL seasons with the Sabres. 

In that time, he played 542 games for Buffalo, recording 46 goals and 199 assists (245 points) to go go with 848 blocked shots and 1,355 hits

He was moved by the Sabres to Philly in July 2021 in a trade for two draft picks and Robert Hagg.

The first-rounder that Buffalo got in that deal turned into promising forward Isak Rosen, who is currently playing at AHL Rochester.

The cost wouldn't be cheap. The Flyers reportedly want a first-round pick and more.

But for the Sabres to get a key addition as a right-shot blue-liner, and a guy who already knows Buffalo? That might be just what they need as they close in on ending a 14-year playoff drought.

More NHL news:

• Maple Leafs getting help from Flyers to trade veteran center
• A salary cap rule may make 2 Flames trades difficult
• Canadiens know trade cost for Robert Thomas
• Auston Matthews looks to help Leafs tank with this lame effort
• Alex Ovechkin has shared an update on his retirement plans
• Colton Parayko rejects Sabres in huge trade decision