The 2015-16 season saw Rasmus Ristolainen distinguish himself as a number one defenseman. He was fourth overall on the team in points, lead all Sabres defenseman in goals and assists, and there were countless nights where his presence was felt both physically and on the score-sheet as well.
Ristolainen was recently pegged at #30 on NHL Network’s countdown of breakout players for the 2015-16 season (a list that Eichel and Reinhart both cracked as well), and, as noted in a prior Sabre Noise post, he was recently ranked by Sports Illustrated as the 19th best defenseman in the league.