The worst-kept secret as the NHL trade deadline draws near is that Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen might be moved to a serious contender with a need on the blue line.

Ristolainen played great for Finland at the Olympics, where he won a bronze medal, and he has hit the ice flying since his return. Question is: Would the Flyers be willing to let him go if someone made GM Daniel Briere an offer he couldn’t refuse?

You have to believe coach Rick Tocchet has his fingers crossed that Ristolainen is not going anywhere.

“I thought he was outstanding yesterday,” Tocchet said Tuesday, referencing a 3-2 shootout win over Toronto on Monday night. “He’s a big defenseman, he’s got a good shot. He was wheeling the puck last night like Bobby Orr.”

Adding to the possible confusion is the fact the Flyers have suddenly won three games in a row and moved back to within four points of a playoff spot before Tuesday night’s action. If you’re making a legitimate push for the playoffs, why give up one of your most versatile players?

“I love the guy,” Tocchet said of Ristolainen. “But I don’t know, it’s a business. Whatever happens, happens. I can’t worry about that stuff. But I will say he’s played really well under me.”

Big, mobile, hard-hitting defensemen with a knack for offense don’t come down the pike often.

“I can’t speculate,” Tocchet said. “I try to coach in real time.”

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The Flyers have allowed seven goals in four games since the Olympic break, and the defense has been about as good as it has been all season.

“More aggressive,” Tocchet said. “We’re trying to make less guys have decision-making. It’s hard to play that way but you have to continue to do it. You’re going to have some bumps and bruises, some ice bags after games. But you have to play that style.

“But there are also going to be times when you can’t go flying in there. Communicate and keep people to the outside. But I have liked the pace of being more aggressive.”

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Travis Konecny, who missed Monday night’s game against Toronto with an upper-body injury, continues to be listed as day-to-day.

Defenseman Nick Seeler, who left the game in the second period, also did not skate on Tuesday. Both are listed as game-time decisions for Thursday’s home game against Utah.

Christian Dvorak and Ristolainen did not skate Tuesday, given maintenance days. Tocchet said Ristolainen was “banged up a little bit.”

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In four games since the Olympics break, the Flyers seem to be coming up big in the big moments. For instance, they had killed off 18 straight power plays until Toronto scored late in the game.

Tocchet cited Cates’ big goal to put the Flyers ahead by a 2-1 score.

“I thought in the third period we spent less time in our end,” the coach said. “Squashing plays. We’ve really tried to implement that since the break.

“In moments: Like Mich (Matvei Michkov) two goals against the Rangers, one in overtime. A big penalty kill against the Rangers (in overtime). Big goal by Cates, big moments late in the game. I thought the PK was terrific.”

These are the types of clutch performances on which Tocchet has his eye.

“So I think you’re getting big moments,” Tocchet said. “At this time of the year, when things are tight, to come up with those types of moments, I think we’re getting them. But I also think playing better in our own end.”