Flyers Trade Rumors: 2 Canadian Teams Linked to Rasmus Ristolainen

All the talk surrounding the Philadelphia Flyers as we get closer to the trade deadline has been around Sean Walker and Nick Seeler. But another, previously decorated Flyers D-man's stock is up, according to insider Elliotte Friedman, as Rasmus Ristolainen is starting to gain some steam on the rumor mill with his recent play.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks have been linked to the hulking blueliner, who's often amongst the league leaders in hits.

The problem is that Ristolainen is in the second year of a 5-year, $25 million contract, with a $5 million cap hit. And while the Flyers are willing to retain some of that, it could still make getting a deal done difficult.

Risto has 3 yrs remaining on his contract; PHI is already retaining on Hayes until '26, so tying up another retention spot long term isn't ideal.

If were to retain 25%+ on Risto until '27, I'd expect a 1st RD pick as PHI's price. W/ the cap going up, the contract will age well.
— Anthony Di Marco (@ADiMarco25) February 8, 2024

As noted by NHL insider Anthony Di Marco, the Flyers are already using up a retention spot on Kevin Hayes for another two years. He suggests that a 25% retention by Philly could get them back a first-round pick for Ristolainen at the deadline.

And he also mentions the two Canadian teams being the most prominent interested parties.

The #LeafsForever and #canucks are the two main teams I've heard tied to Ristolainen.#LetsGoFlyers https://t.co/cVKlDM2gQP
— Anthony Di Marco (@ADiMarco25) February 8, 2024

The veteran blueliner has only played 30 games thus far this season and has recorded four points in just under 17 minutes of ice time per night. He missed the Flyers' first 20 games of the 2023-24 season with a lower-body injury.

Ristolainen was the eighth overall selection in the 2013 NHL entry draft by the Buffalo Sabres. Now 29, he isn't logging the 23+ minutes of ice time that he once did earlier in his career, but he would still be an imposing addition to any team's blueline heading down the stretch of the season and into the playoffs.

The Canucks have already made a huge addition in center Elias Lindholm from the Calgary Flames, and are now focused on beefing up the blueline. As for the Leafs, they've been desperate to make an addition or two to their defense corps all season long.

Photo: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports