The 2016 NHL draft pick likely will play in Rochester his first season.
By RotoWire Staff / cbssports.com
Rasmus Asplund is expected to make the jump across the pond and join the Sabres next season, The Buffalo News reports.
Asplund has yet to be signed but contract negotiations should not pose a huge challenge. Drafted in 2016 with the 33rd overall pick, Asplund just wrapped up a 28-point season with Farjestad in the SHL. The 20-year-old is a two-way center but might need a little seasoning in the AHL before he makes the jump to the NHL. Buffalo’s not expected to compete for a playoff spot, so there’s little to be gained from having a rookie hang around a team that won’t win many games — just ask Rasmus Ristolainen or Zemgus Girgensons how tough their careers have been so far.
Asplund likely will slot in as a third-line center behind Jack Eichel and Casey Mittelstadt down the road if Ryan O’Reilly is no longer around.