Entering the Olympic break, the Philadelphia Flyers were expected to be relatively quiet at the trade deadline. But with Rasmus Ristolainen putting on a show for Team Finland, some real chatter has begun. The 31-year-old is garnering tons of interest.
En route to a bronze medal, Ristolainen recorded three assists and a plus-9 rating in six contests. According to Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff, at least half a dozen teams are interested in making something happen.
Here are two dos and don’ts of a potential Ristolainen trade.
Do: Explore All Trade Options
Di Marco reported that “a package similar to what the Boston Bruins got for Brandon Carlo last year or what the Montreal Canadiens got for Ben Chiarot four years ago is in the ballpark” for a trade. Meaning, the return here could be significant.
The Flyers, thus, can go about this in a lot of ways. The most obvious is pursuing a 2026 first-round pick, which would fit the rebuilding timeline. By the time the team is hopefully contending for championships, that draft pick would likely be old enough to contribute.
There are some alternatives, however. One of the reasons the Carlo trade has worked out so well for the Bruins is due to the inclusion of Fraser Minten. The 21-year-old forward has been excellent in Boston, putting up 14 goals and 15 assists in 57 games this season.
Instead of pushing for a 2025 first-round pick, the Bruins were willing to be flexible, and they hit it out of the park. The Flyers may want to do the same—get an undervalued prospect who, if he pans out, can be an immediate NHL contributor.
Similarly, perhaps the Flyers may be better off chasing an established prospect over a draft pick. Someone like Max Plante from the Detroit Red Wings, a team mentioned in Di Marco’s article, would be a slam dunk. The 2024 second-round pick has been dominating the college scene and is probably at the point where he can turn pro next season.
It’s possible that Ristolainen’s value ends up being a little lower than Carlo’s or Chiarot’s. Either way, the Flyers should explore all avenues.
Don’t: Trade Ristolainen for a Pick to Reach on a Center
For what the Flyers can’t do, trading for a first-round pick to reach on a center—or any positional need, for that matter—is something they must avoid. There can’t be a repeat of 2024 and 2025.
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Even after trading for Trevor Zegras and extending Noah Cates and Christian Dvorak, the Flyers need help at center. It’s a thirst that they haven’t been able to quench despite making concerted efforts to do so. Continuing to force it through the draft is a big no-no, though.
Say what you want about 2024 and 2025 first-round picks Jett Luchanko and Jack Nesbitt, but prospect experts believe that the two centers don’t have star upside. Many expect them to be third-liners.
Could the analysts be wrong? Yes, absolutely. Could spending countless valuable draft picks on the same position, praying to find a diamond in the rough, be a bad path to go down? Also yes.
The center position is important, and it’s an area the Flyers still need to address. But at this point, it’d be smarter to take the best player available. Inefficient drafting doesn’t win Cups.
Do: Give Oliver Bonk a Chance
If Ristolainen gets moved, the Flyers will have a hole on their right side. They could make someone like Noah Juulsen an everyday defender again, slotting him on the third pair. Conversely, they could also give 2023 first-round pick Oliver Bonk a chance to show what he’s got.
For Bonk, this season has been about learning what it takes to be a pro. He missed the first few months of the season due to injury, but has since played in 24 games for the American Hockey League (AHL) Lehigh Valley Phantoms and recorded eight points.
On paper, it might make more sense to let Bonk further develop in the AHL. But given the Flyers’ series of call-ups, it has left head coach John Snowden’s club in a tricky spot. The team has been very inconsistent since around American Thanksgiving.
There’s really no harm that can be done by calling up Bonk. If he struggles, he can be sent back down. If he impresses, there’s less uncertainty about where he’ll play in 2026–27. As a rebuilding team all but destined to miss the playoffs, the Flyers owe it to themselves to see what they’ve got.
Don’t: Pursue a Veteran Replacement for Ristolainen
What the Flyers shouldn’t do is go out in free agency and get Ristolainen 2.0. As important as the veteran has been for the defense over the years, the Orange and Black have no good reason to scramble for a replacement.
While a young Flyers club was in a playoff spot for virtually the entire first half of this season, they aren’t “close.” As much as fans want to see a good hockey team in Philadelphia again, the goal of the 2026–27 campaign should be more about the youth than earning a wildcard spot.
Now, bringing in a depth option wouldn’t be a bad idea. But committing big money to a Ristolainen replacement because you’re afraid of regression is silly. Embracing the youth should be prioritized over potentially squeezing out an extra standings point or two.
Do you want the Flyers to trade Ristolainen? If so, what return are you looking for? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section!
