Latest news with #Ristolainen
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report: Flyers Rejected Big Maple Leafs Trade for Rasmus Ristolainen
According to a new report, the Philadelphia Flyers received a massive trade offer from the Toronto Maple Leafs for veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. GM Danny Briere and Co. didn't budge. Instead, Ristolainen, 30, remained with the Flyers past the March 7 NHL trade deadline, playing in only three more games before suffering a season-ending triceps injury for the second year in a row during a matchup with the Ottawa Senators on March 11. A league source told Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, 'The Leafs offered the moon and couldn't get him out of there.' What "the moon" entails is, ultimately, unclear. It should be noted that, at the NHL trade deadline, the Maple Leafs traded top center prospect Fraser Minten, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick (incidentally acquired from the Flyers in the Scott Laughton trade) to the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman Brandon Carlo, whose $3.25 million cap hit after 15% salary retention was much less than Ristolainen's $5.1 million cap hit. Because the Flyers already retained salary in the Laughton, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Kevin Hayes trades, they could not do so again for the Maple Leafs with Ristolainen; they used all their available slots. Flyers Offseason: Odds Mitch Marner Trades the Maple Leafs for Philadelphia Are High Fans hoping the Philadelphia Flyers swing big for Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Mitch Marner might see their wish come true this summer. At least, that's what the oddsmakers are thinking. We know the Flyers already pried a 2027 first-round pick and Nikita Grebenkin from the Maple Leafs, so it's plausible that the Minten package was on the table in some capacity. We know the Flyers want and need young centers. Aside from Minten, the Maple Leafs have former first-rounders like Easton Cowan, a forward who plays with Denver Barkey and Oliver Bonk on the OHL London Knights, and Ben Danford, a 2024-first round pick who could eventually become Ristolainen's replacement as a 6-foot-2, right-shot defenseman. That's all speculation, of course, but the Flyers' decision to hold onto the Finnish rearguard is looking increasingly curious after a second consecutive season-ending injury, and he's only getting older.
New York Times
26-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Rasmus Ristolainen staying? Flyers' trade target not drawing high interest
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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement '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. Advertisement 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)
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ottawa Senators Defenceman Officially Added To 4 Nations Faceoff Roster As Injury Replacement
When the season began, very few people thought Nikolas Matinpalo had a chance to make the Ottawa Senators NHL roster, let alone represent his country at the NHL's 4 Nations Faceoff. But here we are. Matinpalo reportedly received the call from Team Finland on Sunday, just three days before the start of the tournament, to be held February 12-20 in Boston and Montreal. The best-on-best, four-team event features Canada, Finland, Sweden, and USA, and replaces this year's NHL All-Star Game. Ristolainen sivuun 4 Nations Face-Off -joukkueesta, Matinpalo tilalle: #AMJfi #4Nations #Senators #NHLFlyers @PR_NHL @NHLPA — (@leijonat) February 9, 2025 Matinpalo seemed hopelessly blocked from ascending to Ottawa's NHL roster by fellow right-shot defensemen Nick Jensen, Artem Zub, Jacob Bernard-Docker, and Travis Hamonic. However, all of them have been sidelined by injuries at various points this season, forcing the club to experiment with minor league options. In 18 games, Matinpalo has filled in nicely, playing a calm, simple game. At 6-foot-3, 211 pounds, he eats up minutes, avoiding both calamity and the highlight reel. He's still looking for his first NHL point. Matinpalo has been a reliable player for Finland, representing them at the 2023 World Championships, which likely helped with the selection process. He'll replace Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, who was ruled out due to injury. Ristolainen hasn't played since suffering an upper-body injury on February 2 in a game against the Colorado Avalanche. Sens fans are now wondering if a second Ottawa defenseman might get to the event as an injury replacement for Team USA. Jake Sanderson would seem like a highly viable candidate if Vancouver's Quinn Hughes can't go. Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet addressed Hughes' health on Sportsnet on Saturday night and didn't commit to anything yet, one way or the other. 'We need a healthy Quinn Hughes if we're going to go anywhere.'Rick Tocchet joins @FriedgeHNIC ahead of the Canucks matchup against the Leafs tonight. — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 9, 2025 If Sanderson did get the call, he would join Sens teammate Brady Tkachuk on Team USA. Linus Ullmark, who's played just two games in the past month and a half (losing both), will suit up for Team Sweden. The 4 Nations event begins on Wednesday with Canada facing Sweden. February 12: Canada vs. SwedenFebruary 13: USA vs. FinlandFebruary 15: Finland vs. SwedenFebruary 15: USA vs. CanadaFebruary 17: Canada vs. FinlandFebruary 17: Sweden vs. USAFebruary 20: Final This article is from The Hockey News-Ottawa. For more great Ottawa Senators coverage, check out or leave a comment below at Senators Roundtable.
