Sabres’ Ristolainen not worried to still be without contract

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen isn't losing sleep over his current contract situation.

The 21-year-old - who is currently manning Finland's blue line at the World Cup - is coming off his entry-level deal with the Sabres, but remains without a new contract as the new season approaches.

"It doesn't bother me at all. I don't worry about it," Ristolainen said, according to Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News. "I'm 100 percent here for Team Finland. Then let's see what happens with Buffalo after the tournament. I've never been in this situation before so I really don't know how long it takes or how the contract things work."

While Ristolainen remains confident that a deal will be made before the season starts, he admits he's not pleased that things have dragged out so long.

"It doesn't bother me, but on the other hand I'm not happy it's this long too," said Ristolainen. "I still trust that we will make that contract happen. I like Buffalo. I want to be there as long as I can and I feel they feel the same way about me. I trust it's going to be taken care of."

The 2013 first-round pick is coming off a career year that saw him pace all Sabres defensemen with nine goals and 41 points in 82 games.

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