March 3, 2025 | 2:13pm ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

RISTOLAINEN NOT FOCUSING ON TRADE SPECULATION

Rasmus Ristolainen, defenceman

Trade rumours have followed defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen his entire NHL career and that chatter is not going to stop this week with the trade deadline coming up on Friday at 3pm ET.

Ristolainen, 30, has two more years remaining on his contract after this season and comes with a $5.1 million salary cap hit. He does not own any no-trade protection, which has helped fuel trade speculation.

Despite reports suggesting he has generated interest from other clubs, such as the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers, the veteran blueliner is not phased by the talk.

“It’s obviously not the first time, and it’s one of those things I can’t really control,” Ristolainen told reporters on Monday. “I don’t bother my mind with it; I just kind of come in everyday and work hard.”

Trade talk surrounding Ristolainen has quieted down recently, however, according to TFP’s David Pagnotta. That doesn’t mean teams won’t reach back out, but Flyers GM Danny Briere is not in a rush to move him.

Ristolainen, who ranks among the players on the TFP Trade Watch List, has voiced his desire to stay in Philadelphia and believes this Flyers group can make a push later this season and next year, as well.

“I do believe in this locker room. I feel we’re a very tight group,” he said.

In 58 games with the Flyers, to date, Ristolainen as registered four goals and 15 assists for 19 points, along with 14 penalty minutes.