Injured Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen popped up in trade rumors throughout last season.
Injured Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen popped up in trade rumors throughout last season.
Injured Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen popped up in trade rumors throughout last season.
Flyers GM Danny Briere spoke with Jackie Spiegel of the Philly Inquirer and told her that he underwent surgery for a ruptured tricep tendon in April.
Anthony Di Marco of The Fourth Period suggests that for Ristolainen to be traded, he must return to the ice first.
Although the teams are currently in two very different situations, Ristolainen and the Flyers can be compared to Logan Couture and the San Jose Sharks. Couture played just six games last season, and when he was asked about possibly requesting a trade, he was honest and said he needed to get back on the ice first.
While Risotlainen's injury has a timeline, and the team will likely know around the time when he can return, both Couture and the Flyers' d-man have high cap hits.
Risto's cap hit is $5.1 million for another three seasons, which is high for a third-pairing defenseman. The 29-year-old revitalized much of his game under head coach John Tortorella, boosting his trade value for a team looking to get younger.
His injury last season was devastating, as many of the defense core were injured in a crucial part of the season.
While the Flyers continue to rebuild, Ristolainen isn't part of Briere's long-term plan. He likely won't be on the move until he can get back on the ice and build trade value.
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