NHL Rumors: Flyers Want To Sign Defenseman To Extension

Although Rasmus Ristolainen's name has come up in the rumor mill, a trade involving him is not a guarantee. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Philadelphia Flyers would prefer to keep the 27-year-old defenseman around and sign him to an extension.

Flyers prefer to keep Ristolainen https://t.co/97LhgEcnZx
— The Fourth Period (@TFP) January 28, 2022

The Flyers gave up a lot to acquire Ristolainen during the offseason. The package included a 2021 first-round pick, 2023 second-round pick, and defenseman Robert Hagg. However, it hasn't been the best of starts for Ristolainen on his new team. In 39 games, he has two goals, eight assists, and a minus-12 rating. This kind of production is low for him, as he has four 40-point campaigns on his resume.

However, even with his struggles, the Flyers are more interested in signing him to an extension than trading him at the deadline. That doesn't automatically mean that Ristolainen will be open to the idea, though. This has been a very bad season for the Flyers, and he never has played in the postseason in his nine-year NHL career. Yet, maybe general manager Chuck Fletcher can convince him to stay and embark on their retooling period.

It will be very fascinating to see what's next in store with Ristolainen. He seemed like one of the biggest rental candidates out there, but now, there's a chance that we won't see him dealt at all.