Flyers taking calls on Ristolainen — The Fourth Period
The Philadelphia Flyers are in talks with multiple teams about veteran defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen, who has one more year remaining on his contract after this season.
Ristolainen, 31, has a $5.1 million cap hit and is making $5.5 million in actual salary this season – that salary figure drops to $4 million next season.
The Detroit Red Wings, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins are among the teams believed to have inquired about Ristolainen’s availability this month, with at least three more clubs expressing interest.
According to Anthony Di Marco, the Flyers are looking for a return similar to what the Bruins received for Brandon Carlo last season or the Montreal Canadiens landed for Ben Chiarot a few years ago – a first-round pick, a prospect and an additional asset.
The Flyers currently sit 13th in the Eastern Conference with a 25-20-11 record and are eight points out of a playoff spot, behind the New York Islanders for third in the Metropolitan Division and the Boston Bruins for the final wildcard seed.
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With the trade deadline 11 days away, calls for Ristolainen may intensify. Flyers GM Danny Briere has informed teams he is open to making a move if a team meets his price, according to separate sources.
Ristolainen has been limited to just 19 games this season due to injuries, and has accumulated one goal, five assists and four penalty minutes.
