The Philadelphia Flyers find themselves languishing near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, a place they certainly didn’t envision when they brought in new head coach Rick Tocchet. The hope was that Tocchet could quickly transform the team into playoff contenders, but year one hasn’t quite panned out as planned.
Still, there are bright spots to highlight. Trevor Zegras, a much-discussed trade acquisition, is having a standout season. He’s already surpassed his best offensive numbers since the 2022-23 season and is on track to set new personal records in his first year with the Flyers.
However, not everything is smooth sailing. The team is dealing with some internal drama, particularly involving top prospect Matvei Michkov. Michkov has struggled to find his groove in the NHL, and there’s buzz about a potential rift between him and Tocchet.
Regardless of the behind-the-scenes issues, the Flyers’ performance hasn’t been up to par. They’re tied for the third-worst spot in the Eastern Conference, trailing a playoff berth by eight points with just five games left before the NHL Trade Deadline.
This situation likely means the Flyers will be looking to trade some players to gather future assets. One player who seems poised to be moved is Rasmus Ristolainen.
Acquired in a major trade from the Buffalo Sabres in 2021, the Flyers gave up Robert Hagg, a first-round pick, and a third-round pick to bring Ristolainen to Philadelphia. Initially, the trade seemed questionable, but Ristolainen has since found his place, proving to be a solid defender, especially in his own zone.
There are risks involved with trading Ristolainen, though. He’s only played 19 games this season, debuting in December after a triceps injury and spending some time on injured reserve in January. His history of injuries, having played a full 82-game season just once, will be a factor for any potential suitors.
Despite these concerns, the Flyers need to capitalize on Ristolainen’s current trade value. Moving him now, rather than waiting for the summer, could be strategic. By trading him before the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, an acquiring team would benefit from his services for the stretch run and an additional full season before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
While the Flyers have other attractive trade options, particularly if GM Daniel Briere decides to shop one of his star wingers, those moves can wait. Trading Ristolainen should be a priority to ensure they maximize their return. With the deadline approaching on March 6th, now is the time to act.