Rasmus Ristolainen remains in Buffalo's plans moving forward.

Advice: "We're continuing to try to set this team up where we're putting 'Risto' in positions to have success," Sabres GM Jason Botterill said. "Yeah, he wants to win. We also want to put him in a situation where he plays very well, and that’s what we’ve tried to do with some of the acquisitions, add depth to our defense, add competition to our defense." Ristolainen implied that a trade may be what's best for him in an interview with Finnish outlet MTV Sports last week. Buffalo is making it sound like the team expects him to be at training camp next month. Rotoworld.com Today, 6:28 am

Mikko Rantanen's contract situation isn't a concern for him even though training camp is only a month away.

Advice: "I know what's happening, but I'm not stressful," Rantanen said. "There are a lot of players who are in the same situation. [It's] nice that I'm trusted and the club wants to make a long [-term] deal. Let's see what happens … The situation hasn't bothered me." Avalanche GM Joe Sakic said Friday that he expects contract talks to pick up in the coming weeks. Rantanen is excited for the 2019-20 campaign and believes Colorado is primed for big things. Rotoworld.com Yesterday, 1:52 pm

Kaapo Kakko would like an opportunity to play with Artemi Panarin.

Advice: "We've made great additions and got great players," Kakko said. "I've watched [Panarin's] games and highlights. Great player, nice to have him. I think we would be good together. I believe anyone would fit with such a great player. I haven't thought about lines though." He is confident that his time with TPS of Finland's Liiga has prepared him to make the jump to the NHL. Kakko, who was selected by the Rangers with the second-overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, may get a chance to start the season on New York's top line with Panarin and Mika Zibanejad. Rotoworld.com Yesterday, 6:24 am

Drew Doughty believes the Kings will bounce back in 2019-20.

Advice: Doughty envisions the team proving that it can be a top contender again and he added that the players "failed the entire organization" last year. He singled out his own poor performance after he had 45 points and a career-low minus-34 rating last campaign. "I can't put a measure on how personally motivated I am for this season," Doughty said. "Last season was a disappointment and a big embarrassment. I'm expected to be one of the best guys on my team and a leader. I'm really looking forward to bringing us back to where we need to be. My determination is going to be at (the) maximum." Rotoworld.com Friday, 1:05 pm

Andrew Ladd (knee) has been back on the ice skating, according to Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello.

Advice: Ladd underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee. Cal Clutterbuck (back) is expected to be ready for the start of the 2019-20 season, but Ladd is slated to be out for a little longer Rotoworld.com Friday, 8:09 am

Anthony Beauvillier is still an unsigned restricted free agent.

Advice: Fellow RFAs Michael Dal Colle and Josh Ho-Sang also need to be signed by the New York Islanders. GM Lou Lamoriello said agreements are in place with two of them, but he didn't reveal who they were. He did say that "none of our restricted free agents will be an issue, we'll have everyone signed." Rotoworld.com Friday, 8:01 am

Minnesota still has to hire a new general manager, so contract negotiations with RFA Kevin Fiala are in a holding pattern.

Advice: Fiala and his agent, Claude Lemieux, were negotiating with former GM Paul Fenton, who was fired on July 30. The team is looking for a replacement. "I was a little concerned with Fenton gone and what's going on now," Fiala said. "But they still want to keep me, so there's no concern about that now." Rotoworld.com Thursday, 2:22 pm

William Nylander is anxious for the start of the 2019-20 season and he is expecting a comeback performance.

Advice: Nylander accounted for just seven goals and 27 points in 54 games last season after ending his contract holdout minutes before the Dec. 1 deadline. "Last year’s just gone," he said Thursday. "Out of the books, really, except for maybe taking some stuff that I learned. I look forward to dominating. I'm confident in how I am as a player, so I’m not too worried about it." Nylander doesn't expect to play center this coming season and it's probable he will be back alongside Auston Matthews even though he hasn't been guaranteed that spot yet. He has tremendous bounce-back potential in 2019-20 and certainly seems to have his swagger back following a productive 2019 IIHF World Championship when he led the tournament in scoring with 18 points in eight games. Rotoworld.com Thursday, 10:42 am

Nico Sturm will compete for a roster spot with Minnesota during training camp.

Advice: "[Sturm] is a guy I think can be in the mix on the third or fourth line," coach Bruce Boudreau said. "He was able to get a taste of [professional hockey] last season toward the end there, but I think if he comes in and has a really strong camp, there's no reason he can't be a part of the team to start the year." Sturm skated in two games with the Wild at the end of the 2018-19 season after completing his third year with Clarkson University. Rotoworld.com Thursday, 8:27 am

Ivan Barbashev's agent, Dan Milstein, said Thursday morning that his client is "looking at options on both sides of the ocean."

Advice: Barbashev is still a restricted free agent and it appears as though he is using the threat of a contract with a team overseas, perhaps in the KHL, as leverage in negotiations with the St. Louis Blues. Milstein insisted that this isn't a negotiating ploy. Rotoworld.com Thursday, 8:00 am