A little over a week ago, we stumbled across a trade rumor which involved the Detroit Red Wings dealing F Anthony Mantha to the Buffalo Sabres as part of a 5-player deal to obtain D Rasmus Ristolainen.

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Now, it sounds like that massive trade could be getting close to coming to fruition.

According to NHL Trade Rumors, the Red Wings and Sabres are closing in on the trade.

From NHL Trade Rumors:

Multiple reports earlier this summer have included how RHD Rasmus Ristolainen would prefer to play elsewhere than Buffalo this season and it’s becoming more clear he may get his wish. According to sources the Sabres have held preliminary discussions with several teams including the Detroit Red Wings.

Detroit would be willing to part with Anthony Mantha to obtain the 6’4 24-year-old Finnish defenseman. Mantha finished last season with 25 goals and would provide Buffalo some much needed offense.

Ristolainen would give Detroit a #1 defenseman to help provide some offense from the back end, and at $5.4 million for the next few years, hold value with a team friendly contract. The Sabres have a pleather of RHD, so would be dealing from their strength in this deal.

Nation, are you in favor of Red Wings’ GM Steve Yzerman making this deal?