Ristolainen tallied a goal and a power-play assist in Tuesday's shootout loss to the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

That makes four multi-point games in his last six, and Ristolainen has a ridiculous 14 points over a 10-game span dating back to Nov. 29. The Finn's even gone plus-3 in that span, continuing to erase one of the few weaknesses in his fantasy stats. At the tender age of 22, he's already verging on elite status among fantasy blueliners.

Ristolainen scored the game-winning goal, adding an assist, a plus-2 rating and four hits during Friday's 3-2 overtime win against the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

Ristolainen is in a groove during December, compiling excellent games one after the other. The blueliner has reached the scoresheet in five straight to the tune of two goals -- one on the power play -- and a whopping seven helpers (one on the man advantage). You can also call the man clutch, as both tallies ended their respective games in overtime.

Ristolainen picked up a pair of assists and a plus-1 rating along with five hits in Tuesday's win over the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

He's found the scoresheet in four straight games and six of the last seven, with an impressive 10 points in the latter span. Five of those have come on the power play, but Ristolainen got it done at even strength Thursday. That's good, as plus-minus has historically been the worst aspect of his game. He's keeping it close to even right now -- minus-4 -- and with that not detracting from all the scoring the young Finn is doing, he's rising higher and higher in the pecking order of the NHL's blueliners. Ristolainen is tied for fifth among defensemen in points (19) and is easily first in power-play points (12).

Ristolainen handed out two assists and scored the game-winner on an overtime power play against Edmonton on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Finally. Ristolainen had come up empty on 60 shots over the first 25 games this season, but he'd stayed useful for fantasy owners with 13 helpers. Now that he's gotten the monkey off his back, the 21-year-old Finn could see his scoring take off; he fired 202 shots and scored nine goals last season, and the Sabres' power play continues to revolve around him.

Ristolainen picked up two power-play assists and three shots on goal during Tuesday's 5-4 win against Ottawa.

EDGE Analysis

Ristolainen has yet to light the lamp this season, but he does have 11 helpers to his name. The 22-year-old is the top option among defenseman on the Sabres, although he's yet to finish a campaign with a positive rating in his career. Through 22 contests he sits at minus-5 and it's doubtful that improves.

Ristolainen failed to register a shot on net and played a season-low 21:16 during Monday's loss to the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

Don't fret about the drop in minutes, Ristolainen was a cross-category monster for fantasy owners last season, and he's off to a solid start this year with eight helpers (six on the power play), 20 shots, 22 hits, 23 blocked shots and 10 PIM through 12 games. Also encouraging is Ristolainen's even rating, which is a significant improvement on his minus-68 mark over his first three years in the league.

Ristolainen contributed three assists in Sunday's win over Edmonton.

EDGE Analysis

Ristolainen logged 26:43 of ice time and picked up two of the assists with the man advantage. He's appeared on the scoresheet in both game this season and is building on the 41 points he exploded for in 2015-16. Given his steady minutes, role on the top power-play unit and offensive talent, Ristolainen could finish as one of the top fantasy blueliners this season.

Ristolainen agreed to terms on a new six-year contract with the Sabres on Tuesday worth an annual average value of $5.4 million, Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ristolainen's show of good faith by attending training camp despite not being under contract appears to have paid off as the two sides were able to reach a new deal on the eve of Opening Night. Buffalo will now enter the season with their top defenseman in the lineup and fantasy owners who were willing to risk an extended holdout will be rewarded for sticking with the blueliner.

As of Tuesday, Ristolainen is still not close to signing a new deal, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's been a busy couple of days for RFAs, with Calgary's Johnny Gaudreau and Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov recently inking new deals, but Ristolainen and the Sabres reportedly still aren't close to an extension. It's believed that Ristolainen is looking for a long-term deal worth close to $6 million per season, but the Sabres just don't find that very palatable. The Sabres begin their season Thursday, which gives both sides about 48 hours to get a deal done. Ristolainen is the Sabres' No. 1 defenseman, and without him the team lacks size, mobility and a power-play quarterback, and will have to lean on a veterans Josh Gorges and Zach Bogosian for the time being. Stay tuned to see who blinks first.

Ristolainen was granted permission to practice with the team Thursday despite not having signed his qualifying offer, Bill Hoppe of the Times Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ristolainen is currently a restricted free agent after the Sabres gave him a qualifying offer following the end of his entry-level deal, which he has yet to sign. With 41 points last season, the 21-year-old was Buffalo's most productive blueliner and was fourth highest on the team in points. The defenseman's contributions on the ice, including his four goals and 17 helpers with the man advantage, make him a top-end fantasy option, but owners will want to monitor his contract situation closely, especially if it carries into the start of the season.