Flyers' Rasmus Ristolainen Addresses Trade Buzz Ahead of Deadline

The veteran defenseman is seen as a coveted trade asset as the NHL's March 6 deadline approaches.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 5:23am

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Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, who is in the fourth year of a five-year contract, has emerged as one of the most sought-after trade targets ahead of the NHL's March 6 deadline. Ristolainen, 31, recently spoke about the trade rumors, saying it's something he can't control and that he's just focused on playing his best hockey. The blueliner's trade value skyrocketed after a dominant performance at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, where he helped lead Finland to a bronze medal.

Why it matters

Ristolainen's contract is now viewed as less prohibitive to acquiring teams, especially with the NHL salary cap rising. Several teams, including the Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, and Detroit Red Wings, have been linked as potential destinations for the veteran defenseman, who has never tasted playoff hockey despite playing 797 regular-season games over 13 NHL seasons.

The details

Through 21 games with the Flyers this season, Ristolainen has registered six points (one goal, five assists) while averaging 20:07 of ice time. His strong showing at the Olympics, where he played nearly 20 minutes a night, tallied three assists, took only two penalty minutes, and tied for a tournament-best plus-nine rating, has further boosted his trade value.

  • Ristolainen is in the fourth year of a five-year contract worth $5.1 million annually.
  • The NHL trade deadline is set for March 6, 2026.

The players

Rasmus Ristolainen

A 31-year-old defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers who is seen as a coveted trade asset ahead of the NHL's March 6 deadline.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, obviously, those are things that you really can't control. You obviously try to do your part, get better every day, and what happens, happens.”

— Rasmus Ristolainen

“I hope so. Obviously, I feel really confident about my game, so hopefully I can bring it here, and we have a good run here.”

— Rasmus Ristolainen

“I feel like that's why you play the game. You want to win. That's where I feel I'm at my best. In the tournament (Olympics) it was nice to obviously play games that mean so much.”

— Rasmus Ristolainen

What’s next

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The takeaway

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