Ristolainen, who has had a slow start to the season, was not on the ice this morning and will not be in the lineup tonight in Dallas. With Ristolainen out, Taylor Fedun will be back in the lineup and Viktor Antipin will play on the top PP unit.

Ristolainen, 21, is coming off of a great sophomore season in which he tallied nine goals and 32 assists (41 points) in 82 games. Ristolainen led all Sabres players in ice-time last year as well, eating up a monstrous 25:16 per night, which ranked 10th in the NHL. Ristolianen’s possession numbers leave the Sabres wanting more, but as a 21-year-old defenseman, he is just scratching the surface of what he can become.

Ristolainen missed the start of camp because of an upper-body injury, but participated in practice on Monday and will play on Tuesday. The 20-year-old blueliner had 20 points (8G / 12A) in 78 games with the Sabres last year. He will be a key member of Buffalo’s backend this season and for many years to come.

Ristolainen was held out of Wednesday’s game with an illness, but he is expected to be available for Friday’s contest vs. the Blackhawks. Ristolainen has three goals and one assist in his last three games.

The Sabres will sit Ristolainen tonight vs. the Red Wings and he will be replaced by Andrej Meszaros. Ristolainen has one assist and a minus-5 rating in his last eight games.

Ristolainen was back paired with his usual partner Nikita Zadorov last night vs. the Panthers. He played 19:07 TOI and registered one shot in the 2-0 loss. The Sabres are back in action tonight in New York.

Ristolainen took part in the Sabres morning skate, but will miss his second straight game with the flu. Look for him to be back on Friday vs. Florida.

Ristolainen was left back in Buffalo so he will not be in the lineup tonight. He is listed as day-to-day.

There is an illness making its way around the Sabres locker room and it took Ristolainen victim last night. He is considered day-to-day.

Ristolainen was just sent back to Rochester because Tyler Myers was ready to go Tuesday. However, Myers suffered an upper-body injury in Tuesday's contest, thus Ristolainen has been recalled and will likely dress tonight.

Ristolainen played in five games during his call-up. He was a minus-5 with 12 shots but failed to register a point. He will return to Rochester because Tyler Myers is ready to return to the lineup. Myers has 18 points (6G / 12A) in 30 AHL games.

Ristolainen, 19, has one goal in 19 games with the Sabres this season. The 2013 eighth overall pick has six goals and 12 assists (18 points) in 30 games with Rochester.

Ristolainen suffered a concussion after being sucker-punched in the AHL, but he will likely play for Finland in the World Juniors. The 8th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft recorded one goal in 19 games with the Sabres. He has recorded two goals and two assists in five games since being sent to Rochester (AHL).

Ristolainen was the eighth overall pick in this year's NHL Draft, but will head to Rochester for seasoning. The Sabres don't appear to be a playoff team so allowing their young talent to develop in Rochester is a logical move for the Sabres future. Ristolainen is known more for his defence than his offence, he had one goal in 19 games.

Rasmus Ristolainen, selected eighth overall in June, will return to the blue line tonight when the Sabres visit the New York Islanders. Ristolainen was minus-3 in the opening six games before getting scratched for Monday's 2-1 loss to Minnesota.

McBain will stay in the lineup while Ristolainen takes a seat. The 2012, 8th overall pick has no points and a minus-3 rating in six games.