As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina draw closer, the Philadelphia Flyers find themselves navigating a wave of injuries-particularly among the four players set to represent their countries on the international stage. With just weeks to go before the puck drops in Italy, three of those Olympians are battling health setbacks, and one has already been ruled out entirely.
Rodrigo Abols (Latvia, Forward)
The most significant development came with Rodrigo Abols, who suffered a lower-body injury-believed to be an ankle fracture-early in the January 17 game against the New York Rangers.
It was a tough scene: Abols couldn’t put any weight on his right leg and had to be helped off the ice. He’s since been placed on injured reserve and, more importantly for Latvia, officially ruled out for the Olympics.
Rihards Bukarts will take his place on the national team.
Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet described Abols’ status as “month to month,” which suggests the injury, while serious, may not end his NHL season. Still, missing the Olympics is a tough break for both player and country. Abols had been carving out a solid role this season, and his two-way play would’ve been a key asset for Latvia on the Olympic stage.
Rasmus Ristolainen (Finland, Defenseman)
Meanwhile, Rasmus Ristolainen has been dealing with an upper-body injury that made him a late scratch recently.
He’s listed as day-to-day, and while he’s missed some time, the updates have been cautiously optimistic. There’s a chance he could return before the Olympic break, which would be a huge boost for Finland’s blue line.
The Flyers are clearly monitoring his progress closely. Ristolainen brings a physical edge and veteran presence to any lineup, and Finland would love to have him patrolling the back end when the tournament begins.
Dan Vladar (Czechia, Goaltender)
Goaltender Dan Vladar is also on the mend, sidelined with what’s being described as a lower-body injury.
He was placed on injured reserve but is considered day-to-day, with no indication that the issue is long-term. That’s good news for Czechia, who will want Vladar healthy and sharp if he’s going to be part of their crease rotation in Milano Cortina.
Vladar’s situation remains fluid, but the hope is that he’ll be ready in time to suit up for his country. For the Flyers, his absence has added to an already challenging stretch between the pipes.
Travis Sanheim (Canada, Defenseman)
That leaves Travis Sanheim as the lone healthy Olympian from the Flyers’ roster.
The Canadian defenseman has avoided the injury bug and remains on track to represent Team Canada. Given the current state of the Flyers’ injury report, his durability has been a bright spot in an otherwise bruising January.
A Tough Stretch for the Flyers
The timing of these injuries couldn’t be worse.
Not only are the Flyers trying to stay competitive in a tightly contested NHL season, but they’re also watching key pieces of their roster limp toward the Olympic break. Coach Tocchet didn’t sugarcoat the situation, calling some of the injuries “not good,” though he stopped short of declaring any of them season-ending-aside from Abols’ Olympic status, which is already confirmed.
With the Olympic tournament just around the corner, all eyes will be on the recovery timelines for Ristolainen and Vladar. Their availability could swing the fortunes of their respective national teams. For the Flyers, it’s about weathering the storm and hoping their international representatives return healthy and ready for the stretch run.