NHL Rumors: Flyers & Dallas Stars Proposed Deal Would Land Ristolainen in Lone Star State

With Tyler Seguin's $9.8 million on LTIR, the Dallas Stars have plenty of cap space to make some major waves at the NHL's trade deadline next month. And you can bet, with their Stanley Cup window open, GM Jim Nill will do his best to bolster his team.

Last year, they brought in defenseman Chris Tanev at the deadline, who played a huge role during their run to the Conference Finals. They haven't really replaced him on the right side, so we expect the Stars to add a solid D-man. Could the Philadelphia Flyers' Rasmus Ristolainen be the answer?

Insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff has proposed a one-for-one deal that would get it done:

Dallas Stars Receive:

Rasmus Ristolainen

Philadelphia Flyers Recieve:

Lian Bichsel

As Seravalli rightfully notes, this one would would be a tough one from a Stars' perspective. Bichsel is a 6'6" beast on the blueline who seems to have already established himself as an NHL-caliber D-man in his short cameos this season. His ice time has increased significantly during his current eight-game trial compared to his first eight games back in December.

He's recorded an insane 64 hits in his 16 NHL games, with five points and a plus/minus rating of +6.

So why would Dallas make this deal? Servalli explains that it's the right side of the blueline where the Stars really need a boost, while Bichsel, still only 20 years old, is a left-shot, and would have to battle for a spot in the coming years with Miro Heiskanen, Esa Lindell and Thomas Harley on that side.

Ristolainen is having a nice bounce-back season for Philly, brings back the size they'd lose from Bichsel, and is even signed for two more years (at a $5.1M cap hit).

As Seravalli says, Ristolainen "makes (the Stars) stronger for the next two years without giving up any additional draft capital."

For the Flyers, this would be a massive get, bringing in a huge, physical D-man to build with for the future. Bichsel was a first-round selection in the 2022 Draft (18th overall), and is already showing he can throw his weight around at the NHL level.