While the Philadelphia Flyers have had a very solid season, there are still pieces on their roster they would like to move.
Rasmus Ristolainen is one of them. The 29-year-old Swedish defenseman still has plenty of term and money left on his 5-year, $25.5 million contract signed in March 2022.
However, NHL reporter for The Fourth Period Anthony Di Marco reported Wednesday that Ristolainen is dealing with an upper-body injury and will be out for at least a month. In turn, this makes Ristolainen less likely to be dealt ahead of the trade deadline.
This is not just a blow to the Flyers. While Philadelphia would love to get the contract off their books (or at least most of it), there are other playoff hopefuls who are in need of a big-body defenseman. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks are all teams that were rumored to have interest in Ristolainen.
What does that mean for the Flyers going forward? The Flyers are still expected to move on from their expiring contracts. Longtime Flyer Scott Laughton appears headed out of the door and defenseman Sean Walker has drawn some interest as he is in the middle of an excellent season.
Sean Walker Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
As Anthony Di Marco reported in his article on Ristolainen, the unlikeliness of a Ristolainen trade could mean the Flyers stand firm on a high price for Walker. The Flyers are, after all, in third place in the Metropolitan Division. The asking price for Walker is a first round pick and a prospect.
Ristolainen’s injury could mean the Flyers could re-enter trade talks in the offseason. But until then, he is off the block and Philadelphia will see what else they can pull off as March 8th gets closer.
Rasmus Ristolainen. Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
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