Sabres trade Rasmus Ristolainen to Flyers for Robert Hagg, two draft picks

Ristolainen’s departure will likely lead to an increased role for Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, a restricted free agent this summer after three NHL seasons. Dahlin, 21, is a candidate for a long-term contract extension after totaling 18 goals and 107 points in 197 games. His 50 power-play points since the start of 2018-19 rank ninth among NHL defensemen.

The growing pains of a third season should have Dahlin ready to be the Sabres’ top defenseman. He struggled while handling an increasing number of defensive-zone starts under former coach Ralph Krueger and made a remarkable rebound while playing for Don Granato, totaling four goals and 12 points while averaging 22:10 of ice time over the final 28 games.

It’s unclear what the Sabres have planned for Hagg. The club is well-stocked at left-shot defense, including Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson and possibly Owen Power, who is projected to go No. 1 in the draft. 

Hagg could be insurance in the event Power opts to return to the University of Michigan for his sophomore season and if the Sabres are unable to sign McCabe before he reaches the open market on July 28. Hagg’s reliable play on the back end could be useful in a second- or third-pairing role, as he’s averaged 16:51 of ice time in his career.

A change of scenery may benefit Hagg, whose role diminished upon the arrival of Flyers coach Alain Vigneault. In 2018-19, Hagg led Philadelphia in blocked shots and received the third-most penalty-kill ice time among Flyers defensemen.