Move over Nick Seeler: If the Flyers are serious about parting with some term contracts Rasmus Ristolainen’s value could never be higher

Photo Credit: Rebecca McCormick

“He’s our most improved player,” John Tortorella said of Rasmus Ristolainen last week

One player comes to mind with benefitting from new Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella. It is no other than Rasmus Ristolainen. “Risto” has become a work-horse, and has become a minutes eating defenseman that skates particularly well.

Ristolainen, 28-years-old, is a Right-Handed Defenseman that can be physical and pot a goal as the Flyers found out right before the break. He entered the break on a three game point streak (1g,3a), and Ristolainen has six points in his last 9 games played (1g,5a).

Believe it or not, Ristolainen is tied for 4th among NHL defensemen with nine points (2g, 7a) in 12 games since Jan. 17. He is tied for first in shorthanded points (3) among NHL defensemen this season. However, the most notable improvement of Ristolainen is his positioning. Ristolainen it’s not only in the right position to make the right play, but he has a very active stick so he breaks up a lot of places well.

This Flyers Defenceman has become reliable, and is playing a really sound two-way game. He is a strong and well-balanced skater, and Ristolainen plays with a physical component to his game. Ristolainen stands at 6’4, weighs 218 pounds, and can clear the porch in a big way. He is no longer just looking for the big hit, dust plating himself out of position. Instead Ristolainen is playing smart hockey with taking space away from his opponents.

Ristolainen, plays with a physical edge to his game, and he possesses solid puck moving skills as he likes to be involved with the play. John Tortorella is on record saying, “He’s just played well defensively.”

“He’s our most improved player. He deserves to be put in all situations.” – John Tortorella on Rasmus Ristolainen

Risto has logged an average ice time of 18:13 for the orange and black this season, and he could be a top pairing/middle pairing defenseman. Ristolainen has also tallied two goals, and chipped in nine assists in 49 games played. He’s just a confident player, and one can sense it, “I think my game has been getting better every game. I like where my game is at now,” Ristolainen said.

It’s great to see Ristolainen playing well. He’s actually a good player finally, and has battled well. Risto is in the right position to block a shot, and he has been using his stick well to break up a play. In the same process he drives the player into the boards to ensure no damage is done against the Flyers. His quick zone exits have been timely, and it has fueled the Flyers offensively. All in all it’s good to finally see Ristolainen playing like the player he was supposed to play like when Chuck Fletcher obtained him from Buffalo. Even with the Flyers reeling lately, a 1-3-1 record in their last five games. Ristolainen has actually been a solid hockey player throughout, and he has been one of the orange and black’s most steadiest defensemen for a few months now.

With that being said, if the Flyers are serious with moving term contracts, now would be the perfect time to move Ristolainen. It doesn’t necessarily have to be made by the trade deadline, but groundwork laid for a trade could happen now, with the trigger being pulled in the offseason when most teams are still figuring out their plans for the 2023-24 season. Another thing to keep in mind is that there is definitely is a market for him. It’s hard finding solid right-handed defensemen, so teams covet these players.

In the end the Flyers could also hang onto to Risto, as he has played well under Tortorella.