Philadelphia Flyers set their price for Rasmus Ristolainen
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia Flyers may finally be ready to part ways with veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, and one well-connected insider believes the clock is ticking. Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos sees a deal taking shape if Philadelphia cannot gain ground in the standings.
It's growing more and more likely that this is the year the Flyers will trade him, especially if they continue to chase the pack of playoff teams ahead of them.
Ristolainen has appeared on trade boards for several seasons, yet he has remained in Philadelphia each time.
This season carries a different weight because his contract is running out, and the Flyers have to decide what he means to their long-term plans.
Why the Timing Works
The 31-year-old carries a $5.1 million cap hit through the end of 2026-27, and Frank Seravalli has reported that Philadelphia has no plans to extend him.
Moving him now would let the Flyers collect assets instead of watching a useful player walk away for nothing next summer.
Demand should not be an issue. At 6-foot-4 with a right-handed shot, Ristolainen fits the profile contenders chase every spring, and he averaged 25 minutes per night across all 10 of Philadelphia's playoff games last year. Edmonton, Ottawa and Dallas have all been tied to him in recent months.
What Comes Next for Philadelphia
Trading Ristolainen would also open ice time for younger right-shot defensemen such as David Jiricek and Oliver Bonk, who are waiting for bigger opportunities. That matters for a franchise trying to build a sustainable core instead of simply patching holes year after year.
The risk is real, though. Ristolainen remains a steady, physical presence on the back end, and removing him mid-season could hurt a team still fighting for a playoff spot.
Philadelphia also reportedly turned down a major Toronto offer at the 2025 deadline, a sign the Flyers will not sell cheaply.
Expect the Flyers to keep listening as the season moves along. If the standings do not tighten, Ristolainen could be among the first notable defensemen to move.
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