Rasmus Ristolainen Finally Returns from Injury for Flyers vs. Ducks

In another spite matchup against Cutter Gauthier at home, the Philadelphia Flyers continue to get healthy, finally getting a key defenseman back from injury for the first time in three weeks.

On Saturday afternoon, the Flyers announced that they had officially activated defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen from injured reserve, paving the way for the rugged rearguard to play for the first time since Oct. 3, when he took a shot off the hand in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

In a corresponding move, veteran tough guy Garrett Wilson was officially assigned to the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms after clearing waivers on Friday afternoon.

Ristolainen, 31, is officially in the lineup for Saturday afternoon's game against Gauthier and the Ducks, slotting in on the third defense pair next to prospect Hunter McDonald, who is set to play in his third NHL game of the season.

Despite Ristolainen's return, top defense prospect Oliver Bonk remains on the top defense pair next to No. 1 defender Travis Sanheim, while Simon Benoit and David Jiricek sit out as healthy scratches.

In three games for the Flyers this season, Ristolainen has one point - a deflection goal against New Jersey in Game 2.

With Ristolainen and Tyson Foerster recently returning from their respective injuries, the Flyers are now just waiting on Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, and Cam York to heal up to return to full strength.

All three players are currently on injured reserve, creating roster spots for their replacements in the forms of Cole Knuble, Alex Bump, and McDonald.