Flyers Sign Defenseman To Extension

The Philadelphia Flyers have signed Rasmus Ristolainen to a five-year contract. He will have a $5.1 million cap hit starting next season. 

Ristolainen was one of the Flyers' most notable rental candidates, but he now will of course be staying put. When seeing as how they traded a lot to acquire him from the Buffalo Sabres last summer, it's clear that GM Chuck Fletcher didn't want to give up on him just yet.

Although this is the case, this extension does come with a lot of risks. Ristolainen has not had a good first season with the Flyers. In 49 games, he has two goals, 11 assists, and a minus-11 rating. They certainly expected more from him offensively, as he has hit the 40-point plateau on four different occasions. With that, he also recorded 33 points in 69 games with the Sabres two seasons ago.

The Flyers will be banking on the possibility of Ristolainen finding his old form from here. However, he has struggled in each of these last two seasons, so it is very risky. Alas, time will tell how this contract ages. If he finds his previous form, it could become a good one for Philly. Yet, right now, it's very questionable.

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