When the clock struck 3:00 PM EST on March 6, many Flyers fans were surprised to find veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen still on the roster.
At this point, the Flyers were dead in the water with just under 5% odds to make the playoffs. Risto’s size, physicality, and veteran presence seemed like a no-brainer for teams to come calling.
The problem? Flyers GM Danny Briere’s price may have set his price a little too steep for teams on the brink of a playoff push.
However, Ristolainen certainly proved his worth in the postseason. He racked up five points in 10 games and provided much-needed defensive support along the right side of the ice. For it being his playoff debut, Risto’s physicality and leadership perfectly complemented a young, scrappy lineup.
Did Ristolainen Price Himself Out of a Trade?
Some would argue that the style of play Ristolainen added to the Flyers in the playoffs was invaluable. Aside from Travis Sanheim, the Flyers don’t have a definitive second defenseman. Both Jamie Drysdale and Cam York showed improvement this season. However, neither is likely to play both special teams units.
Ristolainen’s versatility and stellar play in the postseason may force Briere into a tough decision this offseason. Teams may be willing to meet the price he initially set at the deadline now. The question now comes down to whether Briere will look to raise the price, and if Risto is even on the table still.
The salary cap is set to go up next season. One more year of $5.1 million for someone who can play up and down the lineup suddenly doesn’t seem as steep.
Someone May Still Have to Go
The Flyers will look to add either the newly acquired David Jiricek or potentially Oliver Bonk into the lineup next season. Assuming Jamie Drysdale plays the first pair on the right side, there will be two spots remaining for three players.
Jiricek has already had some NHL experience and shows strong upside. Oliver Bonk netted two goals in his NHL debut. But Risto may have had the best individual playoff performance for the Flyers aside from goaltender Dan Vladar.
However, at the end of the day, it’s a young man’s league, and even with Risto’s playoff performance, it might still not be enough.
What Could a Trade Package Look Like?
At the 2024 trade deadline, the Flyers sent defenseman Sean Walker to the Colorado Avalanche for a conditional first-round pick and Ryan Johansen. Johansen never laced up for the Flyers, but they later flipped that first-rounder to move up in the draft to select center Jack Nesbitt.
If Briere still wants a first-rounder, some teams may come calling in the offseason. If he wants more than that, he may hold onto Risto at least until next year’s deadline to see how high a price a contender is willing to pay.
Considering Briere’s history and Ristolianen’s recent return to form, don’t expect Risto to go anywhere for less than a first-rounder or a decent prospect.
Potential Landing Spots
If Ristolainen gets moved at all before next season, expect it to be for a playoff contender. The same team that the Flyers dealt Walker to, the Avs, could be in the market for a Brett Burns replacement. Younger teams like the Ducks may find Ristolainen to be a slightly cheaper option than 36-year-old John Carlson or 32-year-old Jacob Trouba.
The Flyers, for once, find themselves at a potential surplus of defenseman. This year’s free agency class is admittedly weak. Either way, Briere can’t really go wrong. Either the Flyers keep a strong all-around defenseman who’s shown he can rise to the occasion, or they get a comfortable haul in return.
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