VOORHEES, N.J. — When looking at how last season started, the Flyers have to be pretty happy overall with their goal prevention this season.

Heading into Wednesday, only nine teams were giving up fewer goals per game than the Flyers’ 2.79. Through 28 games, Rick Tocchet’s club is 16-9-3 and has dropped consecutive games in regulation only once.

Last season, the Flyers were 12-12-4 through 28 games and giving up the NHL’s fourth-most goals per game at 3.43.

And when you consider that Rasmus Ristolainen hasn’t played this season and Cam York has missed five games, the Flyers have to be intrigued about what their defense can do when healthy.

“When those two guys come back, it’s like making a really good trade,” Tocchet said Wednesday after practice. “You’re getting two quality D-men in the lineup that know how to play D, know how to play without the puck. Risto has got a great shot. It’s good to have a guy back there who has got a bomb. Yorky’s intelligence in defending. It’s like making a major trade for us.”

Here’s a possible look for the Flyers’ defensive pairs when Ristolainen and York are healthy:

Cam York-Travis Sanheim
Emil Andrae-Jamie Drysdale
Nick Seeler-Rasmus Ristolainen

Ristolainen was a full participant in practice Monday and Wednesday, no longer wearing a non-contact jersey. He appears to be inching closer to his season debut, which could come at some point this month.

The 31-year-old has been recovering from surgery in March on a second triceps tendon rupture.

Prior to the injury, the 6-foot-4 righty shot may have been playing the best hockey of his career. Ristolainen had four goals, 15 assists and only 14 penalty minutes in 63 games while logging 20:31 minutes a night. Over his last 43 games, he recorded 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) and a plus-10 rating.

“I heard that he played really well last year in stretches, stuff that we need,” Tocchet said. “Hard shot, good outlet pass, wheels the net, can squash plays in the corner, big guy, a long guy. Those are pretty good attributes for a defenseman.”

Rasmus Ristolainen with consecutive practices in full participation. Seems to be getting closer to his season debut, which could come at some point this month. pic.twitter.com/eXkuVqnuHA

— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) December 10, 2025

York has missed the last two games because of an upper-body injury, but he practiced Wednesday after taking part in Tuesday’s morning skate.

The 24-year-old has been considered day to day. His status is uncertain for Thursday’s home game against the Golden Knights (7 p.m. ET/ESPN).

Here were the Flyers’ pairs in practice Wednesday:

Nick Seeler-Travis Sanheim
Emil Andrae-Jamie Drysdale
Ty Murchison-Noah Juulsen
Cam York-Egor Zamula (extras)

“I think they’re giving him a little bit more, see where he’s at, a little more pace in his practice,” Tocchet said about York at Tuesday’s morning skate. “As of now, it’s still day to day, so we’ll see how it goes.”

York has 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in 23 games and is second on the team with 23:31 minutes per game.