Flyers Activate Rasmus Ristolainen

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen will take a second pass at putting a nagging hand injury behind him. The injury, sustained on October 3rd, originally held Ristolainen out of nine games. He returned on October 24th – but re-aggravated the injury and was forced out of an additional seven games. After a second stint on injured reserve, Ristolainen has been activated and should return to the lineup in Wednesday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers.

Ristolainen has appeared in four games this season. He was held below 15 minutes of ice time in two of those appearances, as a result of his injury. Around those limitations, the 32 year old has recorded one goal, five shots on net, and seven hits. More than that, Ristolainen offered a balance to Philadelphia’s top defender, Travis Sanheim, on the top pair. His veteran presence in that role pushed Jamie Drydale – Philadelphia’s highest-scoring defenseman – to the second-pair next to Cameron York, who has just one assist in 12 games.

Drysdale has moved to the top pair in Ristolainen’s absence, while rookie defender Oliver Bonk has stepped onto the second pair with York. Bonk has taken advantage of the expanded opportunity, netting one goal and seven points in 14 games. He has also recorded 15 shots on net and 18 blocks. Those stats underline a growing confidence to Bonk’s game that could help him cement his spot in the Flyers’ lineup even after Ristolainen returns.

Ristolainen’s addition and Bonk’s earned role will bring an end to Philadelphia’s search for a sixth defender. Helge Grans, Hunter Mcdonald, David Jiricek, and Simon Benoit have each stepped onto the Flyers’ bottom-pair through the early season. None of the four posted inspiring results – combining for just two points (one for each of Jiricek and Benoit) in their appearances. Now they’ll each shift into depth roles, with Benoit and Jiricek likely watching Wednesday’s matchup from the press box.

Philadelphia will hope this return can finally bring an end to Ristolainen’s injury woes. He has missed 141 of Philadelphia’s 423 games since joining the team in 2021. Around those absences, Ristolainen has averaged 22 points, 139 shot blocks, 175 hits, and 20 minutes of ice time per 82 games played in Philadelphia. Those are productive totals for an aging blue-liner, though his scoring has fallen far from his four consecutive 40-point seasons recorded with the Buffalo Sabres from 2015 to 2019. While rediscovering that scoring could boost a Flyers offense that ranks 29th in goals scored, working Ristolainen back to consistent health will be the most important factor for the lineup.

If he does play on Wednseday, Ristolainen will likely return to Philadelphia’s bottom-pair and begin a slow climb back into his spot next to Sanheim.