Rasmus Ristolainen staying? Flyers' trade target not drawing high interest

New York Times

26-02-2025

The needle, at the moment, is inching back toward Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen remaining with the team past next Friday's trade deadline.
Despite Ristolainen being high on various trade boards — including ours — the Flyers haven't received many calls on the 30-year-old blueliner with two seasons left on his contract after this one at a $5.1 million AAV, according to a team source.
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That can quickly change this time of year, of course, particularly if there's a team or teams that swing and miss on other targets. But, at least for now, Ristolainen is less likely to be dealt than previously thought.
And, really, that shouldn't be all that astonishing. General manager Daniel Briere said in his most recent media availability that Ristolainen was 'not a rental.' That's essentially code for, they're not going to deal him if the asking price isn't met. It seems likely the Flyers would prefer a first-round pick or a top prospect in exchange for Ristolainen.
Further, the Flyers almost certainly don't want to retain any salary on Ristolainen in future seasons, either. While $5.1 million could be an inflated salary for a third-pair defenseman — which is where Ristolainen has been playing lately — the latest playing cards have his market value at $4 million. I'd argue it could be even higher in the real world simply because he's a right-handed shot with good size and physicality, something that playoff teams are always seeking.
But that's what also makes him valuable to the Flyers, who already have a small lineup — the smallest in the league by weight, in fact, according to Elite Prospects.
On defense, 6-foot Cam York and 5-foot-11 Jamie Drysdale are current regulars, while 5-9 Emil Andrae is knocking at the door after an impressive NHL stint earlier this season. Associate coach Brad Shaw, who runs the defense and the penalty kill, confirmed last week that it's unlikely the Flyers will be able to dress all three of them on a regular basis when they plan on making a playoff push again — which could be as soon as next season.
'You can't teach size. You look at the teams that are winning playoff rounds and Stanley Cups, and for the most part, they have big defense cores,' Shaw said. 'Part of our growth as an organization is, you likely can't have those three guys around when you're really vying (for the playoffs) and becoming a contender and being a team that's going through playoff rounds.
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'As you're shaping your roster — I love size. I've coached lots of big defensemen. I love them on the penalty kill. An extra foot of reach is an incredible asset to have. I love big guys with snarl. They have a huge value. They impact games in different ways. But at this moment, we don't quite have that makeup.'
Coach John Tortorella on Wednesday called Ristolainen 'the most improved player since I started here. Size, righty, escapes (pressure), uses his legs.'
He continued: 'If you trade him on Friday, then on Saturday, you say, 'S—, I need a big, right-handed defenseman.' These are the conversations that coaches have with their (general) managers, and you talk about it. But I do think you have to listen, because you can't fall in love. If there's something that really is a good situation for the time frame that we're in with our team right now, I'm sure Danny is going to look really hard at it. You have to listen. But you just can't make a trade just because you think you have to make a trade.'
If the Flyers do trade Ristolainen, there's no one in the system who could immediately fill the void he would leave. The Flyers like 22-year-old prospect Hunter McDonald, a 6-4, 204-pounder, and while his first professional season has been mostly encouraging, he's still viewed internally as someone who needs more time in the AHL to develop before he's a consideration for the big club.
Meanwhile, Ristolainen, who has 18 points (4 goals, 14 assists) in 56 games this season and ripped home a one-timer to open the scoring in Tuesday's 6-1 Flyers win over the Penguins, acknowledged after the game that he might be playing the best hockey of his career.
'Yeah, maybe,' he said. 'Just feel like things are coming together. Keep working hard, and stay confident.'
Andrei Kuzmenko also made an appearance on Chris Johnston's trade board this week as a candidate to get flipped before the deadline. The 29-year-old forward was acquired by the Flyers from the Calgary Flames are part of the trade for Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee. In three games with the Flyers, he has a power play goal and an assist playing on a line with Laughton and Travis Konecny.
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The Flyers aren't against listening to offers for Kuzmenko before next Friday. But, there haven't been any calls inquiring on him just yet. A 12-team modified no-trade clause limits their options, too.
If he does remain with the Flyers, the team is still open to keeping the pending unrestricted free agent around. But, of course, it would have to be at a greatly reduced salary than the current $5.5 million he's making now.
Kuzmenko's best chance at a decent payday this summer could be to try and maximize his time for the rest of the season with the Flyers, who have him in the bumper position on the top power-play unit.
(Photo of Rasmus Ristolainen: Emilee Chinn / Getty Images)