Head coach Ted Nolan believed Ristolainen was suffering from fatigue and considered making him a scratch last week, reports the Olean Times Herald.

Head coach Ted Nolan believed Ristolainen was suffering from fatigue and considered making him a scratch last week, reports the Olean Times Herald.

Analysis:

Nolan hinted that it wasn't physical fatigue that was ailing Ristolainen, but mental fatigue, citing the "lights and action" of the NHL being overwhelming for young players. Nolan didn't say which game he considered sitting Ristolainen, but did say he came out flying on Friday. That lends to the belief that Nolan may have wanted Ristolainen to sit Tuesday vs. Carolina in the second part of a back-to-back after a 5-1 loss to Anaheim on Monday where he played a season-low 14:38 and failed to register a shot. Ristolainen is not an elite defenseman yet, but he'll get there. With the Sabres struggling, expect Nolan to juggle players in and out of the lineup all year.