So how does news that Rasmus Ristolainen has asked to be traded affect the RFA market? It is pretty interesting actually. Talking to a source this morning I was told that a number of the RFAs are growing more and more impatient with the waiting game and while offer sheets aren't exactly flying around, there are many more murmurs that a few teams are at least exploring the possibility of trading a yet to be signed RFA. As much as Buffalo doesn't want to lose Rasmus they can sell it a whole lot easier if they can bring in a stud player...and few teams are offering up players with the kind of potential Rasmus Ristolainen has...
Along these lines, late last night I was informed by an unrelated GM that he had heard that at least one RFA was talking to an Eastern Team about a contract, but did not intend to put out an offer sheet...
hmmm...
On Luongo...
The Panthers will be retiring their first number as a franchise and doing so sequentially....They will be retiring Roberto Luongo's #1 this season at home in a game versus Montreal.. I love this move and it is the right call...however, why against Montreal? Luongo also had a very storied and wonderful career in Vancouver...wouldn't you have the Canucks be the game? Also...the Canadiens games are already among the biggest draws of the year in Miami... Just curious...