As the Winter Olympics wrapped up on Sunday, the NHL is gearing up to resume its regular season this Wednesday. With the March 6 trade deadline looming, teams are making critical decisions, and the Philadelphia Flyers find themselves at a crossroads.
After a strong start, the Flyers have cooled off, leaving them in a precarious position as they eye a playoff spot. The question remains: will they hold steady or shake things up by trading key assets?
One player in the spotlight is defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, fresh off a bronze medal win at the Olympics. If the Flyers stumble in their upcoming games, they might consider moving Ristolainen, but only for a worthy return, as reported by Kevin Kurz.
A potential trade partner? The Dallas Stars.
The Stars are in need of a right-handed defenseman, especially after missing out on Rasmus Andersson. Ristolainen could be a seamless fit, joining fellow Finnish Olympians like Miro Heiskanen and Roope Hintz.
With the Stars sitting comfortably in third place in the Central Division, they’re poised for a playoff run but will need reinforcements to tackle the likes of the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild.
Ristolainen has shown his value this season, especially during the Olympics where he notched three assists and a +9 plus/minus in six games. Though his NHL numbers with the Flyers-one goal, five assists, and a -4 plus/minus in 19 games-might not jump off the page, his Olympic performance suggests untapped potential.
The Flyers, led by GM Danny Briere, have made it clear they won’t mortgage their future for a fleeting playoff chase. However, if the postseason becomes a distant dream, exploring trades for players like Ristolainen could yield significant returns. With one more year left on his contract, Ristolainen presents an intriguing option for teams looking to bolster their defense as the trade deadline approaches.