Injury update: Coach issues alarming update for Ristolainen

Buffalo Sabres head coach Phil Housley announced some pretty harsh news earlier today.

The team's top defenseman has already missed the last two games, and could miss several more with an upper body injury.

The Sabres have dealt with a flurry of injuries to their defensive squad, with Nathan Beaulieu, Zach Bogosian, Matt Tennyson, and Josh Gorges all dealing with injuries. 

There is some hopeful news though.

The Sabres are 5-8-2 this season - the continual injuries to their defenseman has played a significant part in the team's early struggles.

Rasmus Ristolainen, drafted 8th overall in 2013, has scored over 40 points in his last 2 seasons, and figures to be a crucial component of the team's backend. If the Sabres have any hope of turning things around this season, Ristolainen will have to recover quickly.