The Winter Olympics are always a showcase for the game’s elite - a proving ground where reputations are made, futures are shaped, and players get the rare chance to represent their countries on hockey’s biggest international stage. For the Philadelphia Flyers, this year’s games in Milan offer more than just national pride. With three players and their head coach making the trip, the Flyers’ presence is strong - and for some, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Let’s break down what the Olympics mean for each of the Flyers involved, and who stands to gain - or lose - the most in Milan.
Rasmus Ristolainen: Everything to Gain
If there’s one Flyer who could turn this Olympic opportunity into something bigger, it’s Rasmus Ristolainen.
The veteran defenseman has had a rough go the past couple of seasons, plagued by injuries that have limited his ability to contribute consistently. After undergoing surgery on his right tricep last March, he’s been working his way back into form. Now, with a clean bill of health and a spot on Finland’s roster, Ristolainen has a chance to remind the hockey world what he brings to the table.
And let’s be honest - this isn’t just about international glory. There’s a very real chance that a strong Olympic showing could boost his trade value. The Flyers have explored moving him in the past, and while nothing has materialized yet, a physical, right-shot defenseman who can handle big minutes in high-pressure games is always appealing - especially to playoff-bound teams looking to shore up their blue line.
This is Ristolainen’s chance to show he can still be that guy. That he can play with pace, handle the physicality, and thrive in a best-on-best environment. If he delivers, it could open the door to a fresh start with a contender - and maybe even his long-awaited playoff debut.
Travis Sanheim: High Risk, High Reward
On the flip side, Travis Sanheim enters the Olympics in a very different position - one where the pressure isn’t about proving himself to the Flyers or other NHL teams, but to Hockey Canada.
Sanheim was a standout at the 4 Nations tournament last year, stepping up when injuries forced him into a bigger role. He showed he could handle top minutes and play both sides of the ice - versatility that coaches love. But despite that strong showing, Sanheim found himself on the outside looking in for Canada’s Olympic opener against Czechia, scratched as the team’s eighth defenseman.
That’s a tough pill to swallow, and it sends a clear message: Sanheim is still a bubble guy in Canada’s deep blue line pool.
The good news? He’ll get his shot.
With Josh Morrissey leaving Thursday’s game due to injury, Sanheim is likely to draw into the lineup - and once he’s in, he needs to make it count. Canada didn’t bring him to Milan to sit in the press box.
But if he can’t replicate the impact he had at 4 Nations, it could hurt his standing for future international events, including the next IIHF World Championships or another best-on-best tournament down the line.
Sanheim has the tools. Now it’s about execution.
The margin for error is slim, and the competition around him is fierce. This tournament could be a defining moment in his international career.
Dan Vladar: Steady as He Goes
Then there’s Dan Vladar, who finds himself in a pretty comfortable spot heading into the Olympics.
The Czech netminder has earned his place on the national team, thanks in part to his strong showing at the 2025 World Championships. He’s been solid for the Flyers this season, and he enters the Olympics as one of the top Czech goalies in the NHL.
Vladar started the tournament as the backup in the opener against Canada, but he’s set to get the nod in Friday’s game against France - a clear sign that the Czech coaching staff sees this as a two-man race between Vladar and Lukas Dostal for the No. 1 job.
There’s not a ton at stake for Vladar in terms of risk. He’s already in good standing with both his NHL club and his national team. But this tournament does offer a chance to take that next step - to emerge as the clear-cut top goalie for Czechia moving forward.
If he plays well, he could solidify himself as the go-to guy for future best-on-best events. And while that might not make headlines in Philly, it’s a big deal on the international stage.
Rick Tocchet: Leading on the Global Stage
Let’s not forget Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet, who’s also in Milan, serving in a coaching role on the Olympic stage. For Tocchet, this is a chance to test himself against the world’s best and bring that experience back to Philadelphia.
Coaching in a tournament like this offers unique challenges - condensed schedules, unfamiliar lineups, and high-stakes games from the jump. It’s a different beast than the NHL grind, and it can sharpen a coach’s instincts in a way few other experiences can. For Tocchet, it’s another layer of growth as he continues to shape the Flyers’ identity.
What It All Means for Philly
The Olympics may be a break in the NHL calendar, but for the Flyers, it’s anything but downtime. Ristolainen is playing for a shot at a new chapter.
Sanheim is fighting to stay in the mix for Team Canada. Vladar is looking to cement his status in Czechia’s crease.
And Tocchet is soaking in every bit of high-level experience he can.
These games matter - not just for medals, but for futures. And when the puck drops in Milan, the Flyers will be watching closely.