“He’s our most improved player, since I got here ” Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella said of Rasmus Ristolainen last week.
That was then, and this is now. Ristolainen has played very well for the orange and black this season. He has refined his game, as he doesn’t look to crush his opponents in the boards on every play. Ristolainen has gotten rid of that first hit mentality, rather he suffocates his opponents with excellent gap.control and by taking the body.
Even with how well he has played, and given his favorable contract. He is still mentioned in lots of trade rumors, and rumors have been swirling around bristo for the past week or so. Ristolainen has become numb to these rumors, as he doesn’t pay attention to social media, whether that’s Twitter or Facebook, he just doesn’t go on it. It’s probably best for him, some have been wanting him traded for the past few years, however, recently there are a lot of people in his corner and don’t want him traded”I don’t really know what they talk about (On social media),” Ristolainen said yesterday following practice.
Risto continues, “It’s not the first time. It’s one of those things I can’t really control. I really haven’t bothered my mind with it. I just come in every day and work hard.”
He’s arguably then the Flyers most steadiest and consistent defenseman all season long. At just 30-years-old, being a Right-Handed Defenseman. These type of defensemen do not grow on trees. Especially, one that can be physical and block big shots at key times.
This Flyers Defenceman has become reliable, and really played a really sound two-way game last season. 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.
“When the deadline comes, I think I owe it to the players that I meet with the team and tell them if they have any questions they should ask me where they stand,” Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella said yesterday following practice. “I think we owe the players that respect. We ask them to do stuff all year long. All the rumors going around. I want them to be able to come to me and ask a question.
Tortorella continues, “In Ristolainen’s case, the reaction was somewhat predictable. I went to Risto and I said, ‘Is there anything you want to ask me?’ He said, ‘I don’t want anything. I just want to play.’ That’s the way he plays. I don’t think Risto gets enough respect out here. He just plays. There’s not a lot of talk. He just plays and like I said, I think he’s our most improved player.”
He’s actually a good player finally, and has battled well. Risto just seems to be in the right position to block shots, and he uses his stick well to break up plays believe it or not. His quick zone exits are timely, and it fuels the Flyers offensively.
All in all, it’s good to finally see Ristolainen playing like the player he was supposed to play like when former Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher obtained him from Buffalo. He is building off his success from last season before his injury, and really has played well for the most part.
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