(Photo courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Robert Hägg was moved in and out of the lineup during the 2020-21 season. Now the Flyers have obtained Rasmus Ristolainen from the Buffalo Sabres. Hägg is best friends with Oskar Lindblom, and is one that can hit. He has never been an offensive defenseman, but he can be steady in his own zone. Hägg is one that is not afraid to take the body.
Everyone will remember Robert Hägg for being there for Oskar Lindblom when he need it most. Hägg is best friends with Oskar.
Ristolainen, 26-years-old, is a Right-Handed Defenseman that can be physical and pot a goal as the Flyers found out earlier this year. He can be seen as an underperforming defenseman for the Buffalo Sabres, but it is the Sabres, a team that is stockpiled with rich prospects and talent, and are still struggling with players such as Jack Eichel, Kyle Okposo, Rasmus Dahlin, Victor Olofsson, Linus Ullmark, and Johnas Johansson.
This former Sabres Defenceman is reliable against the Flyers, and plays a really sound two-way game. He is a strong and well-balanced skater, and Ristolainen plays with a physical component to his game and has become more disciplined. Ristolainen stands at 6’4, weighs 218 pounds, and can clear the porch in a big way. He also possesses a strong heavy shot.
Fletcher has been on a manhunt trying to obtain a right-handed defenseman to pair with Travis Sanheim. With his options dwindling he leaned to the Buffalo Sabres for help, so much so he trade the Flyers 13th pick tonight, and a 2023 second rounder for Ristolainen.
In contrast to previous years, this is a cut-throat, veteran-first, win-now mentality, as Fletcher means business this offseason. The Flyers are trying to remain contenders, and some general landscaping is taking place. It’s building an extremely solid foundation for years to come.
The Flyers Defense as it stands I’d significantly better on paper at least than last year:
