With the NHL trade freeze in place until February 22 due to the Olympics, front offices across the league are on standby-but not for long. Once the freeze lifts, the countdown to the March 6 Trade Deadline begins in earnest.
That gives teams a narrow window to decide whether they’re pushing for the playoffs or planning for the future. One team squarely in that decision-making zone is the Philadelphia Flyers.
At 25-20-11, the Flyers are sitting sixth in the Metropolitan Division-not exactly where you want to be in mid-February. But they’re just eight points out of a playoff spot, which keeps the door open. That makes them one of the more intriguing teams to watch as the deadline approaches.
Ristolainen on the Block?
One name that’s been floated as a potential trade chip is veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. The big right-shot blueliner is under contract through the 2026-27 season, which makes him more than just a rental. That kind of term, especially for a team looking to shore up its defense beyond this season, adds value.
Ristolainen came into the league as the eighth overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, selected by the Buffalo Sabres. He split time between the AHL and NHL in his rookie year before becoming a mainstay on Buffalo’s blue line. From 2015-16 through 2018-19, he consistently posted over 40 points per season, showing he could contribute offensively while logging heavy minutes.
Since being traded to the Flyers in 2021, though, things haven’t quite clicked the same way. After signing a contract extension in 2022 with a $5.1 million AAV, Ristolainen has struggled to stay healthy and hasn’t matched his prior production.
This season, he’s appeared in just 19 games due to an upper-body injury, tallying one goal and five assists. It’s a far cry from his earlier numbers, but the tools are still there-and teams know it.
Toronto Maple Leafs: A Logical Fit
One team that could make a lot of sense for Ristolainen is the Toronto Maple Leafs. They’re in a similar spot to the Flyers-six points out of a playoff spot-and if they decide to make a push, bolstering the blue line is a must.
While Toronto’s penalty kill has been one of the league’s best (currently ranked fifth), their overall defensive play has been shaky. They’re 27th in goals against per game, and with Chris Tanev out for the season, there’s a need for a right-shot defenseman.
The Leafs were reportedly interested in Ristolainen last year but ultimately went with Brandon Carlo instead. Now, with another hole to fill, the Flyers’ blueliner is back on the radar.
Ristolainen could slot in on the second or third pair, potentially alongside Oliver Ekman-Larsson or Simon Benoit. Even though his offensive numbers have dipped, his expected goals against per 60 minutes is stronger than what Toronto’s currently getting from Troy Stecher or Philippe Myers.
And if he can rediscover even a portion of his scoring touch, he could be a real asset. Only Ekman-Larsson and Morgan Rielly have topped 20 points from the blue line this season for the Leafs.
That’s not enough for a team with playoff aspirations.
The challenge? Toronto doesn’t have a ton of assets to move, so making the numbers work on a deal would require some creativity. But if they can pull it off, Ristolainen could be a difference-maker.
Edmonton Oilers: High-Octane Offense, Leaky Defense
Then there’s Edmonton, a team that’s been lighting up the scoreboard for years. Their offense is humming again this season-fourth in the league at 3.41 goals per game-and their power play is the best in the NHL. But the same old story lingers: defensive lapses.
The Oilers are giving up 3.29 goals per game, ranking 25th in the league. Their penalty kill?
Even worse-26th. They’ve tried to address the goaltending situation, but the issues in front of the net remain.
That’s where Ristolainen could come in.
He’d be a logical fit on Edmonton’s second pair, likely alongside Darnell Nurse. That would allow Jake Walman to slide down to the third pairing, giving the Oilers more balance across their defensive corps.
Ristolainen also brings something Edmonton desperately needs-shot blocking. When healthy, he’s consistently near five blocks per 60 minutes, which would put him among the team’s best in that category.
Add in his strong takeaway numbers in the defensive zone, and you’ve got a player who could immediately help shore things up.
The complication here is the cap. Edmonton doesn’t have a 2026 first-round pick, but they do have one in 2027 and a few promising prospects.
To make the money work, they’d likely need Philadelphia to retain some salary, which would raise the price. But if the two sides can find common ground, this is a move that could pay off in a big way for the Oilers.
Anaheim Ducks: Ready to Break the Drought?
Don’t sleep on the Anaheim Ducks, either. They haven’t made the playoffs since 2017-18, but this year they’re right in the thick of it. At 30-23-3, they’re tied in points with the Seattle Kraken for third in the Pacific Division and currently hold a wild-card spot.
But if they want to stay there, they need help on defense-badly. Anaheim ranks 29th in goals allowed per game and 22nd on the penalty kill.
Their top pairing of Jackson LaCombe and Jacob Trouba has struggled, ranking among the worst in the league in expected goals against and high-danger chances surrendered. Behind Trouba on the right side, the depth drops off fast.
Radko Gudas and Ian Moore have also been allowing too many high-danger opportunities.
Ristolainen would be a clear upgrade. He could slide into the top four and give the Ducks a more stable presence on the right side.
Unlike some of the other teams in the mix, Anaheim has the cap space to absorb his full salary without needing Philadelphia to retain any of it. They also have draft capital to spend, which gives them flexibility if they decide to make a move.
The question is whether the Ducks are ready to pull the trigger on a win-now trade. If they are, this could be the one that helps them finally break their postseason drought.
Bottom Line
Rasmus Ristolainen might not be the same offensive force he was during his early years in Buffalo, but he’s still a big-bodied, right-shot defenseman with playoff experience and a skill set that teams covet-especially come deadline time. Whether it’s Toronto looking to stabilize the back end, Edmonton trying to fix its defensive leaks, or Anaheim gearing up for a playoff run, there’s no shortage of suitors.
The Flyers have a decision to make. Hold onto Ristolainen and hope for a late-season surge?
Or move him now and cash in on a valuable asset? Either way, once the trade freeze lifts, don’t be surprised if his name is one of the first to heat up the rumor mill.