It’s a new season, but one thing remains the same: Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen is once again involved in trade rumors.

Anthony Di Marco of the Daily Faceoff reported that despite the Flyers’ playoff push, Ristolainen remains available for trade. Now, it’s important to understand that the Flyers are not actively shopping him; rather, it’s just a reported willingness to make him available for the right price.

The Flyers are very much in a playoff push, and Ristolainen has been great since returning from injury. However, you can easily make sense of why the Flyers could trade him.

First of all, the defense did not play poorly in his absence. Noah Juulsen filled the third-pair defenseman role well. It was not perfect, but his play did not hurt the team. So, if you trade Ristolainen, you already have a replacement for the big, physical defender on the roster.

Looking past the current roster, the Flyers have Ty Murchison in the AHL, whose play, in all reality, earned an extended look. Unfortunately for him, the Flyers just had no room for him. So, Murchison becomes another option for a replacement that could continue the good blueline play in Philadelphia if Ristolainen is dealt.

Still, if the Flyers are in a playoff push, then why trade the Finnish defender? Well, the cost will be high, and if someone is willing to meet it, it should feel like a no-brainer, especially with the depth the Flyers have.

Di Marco compared the possible return to the 2017 Ben Chiarot trade, which sent a first- and fourth-round pick to Montreal, along with a prospect for the defender. Dave Pagnotta says the Flyers could get a Brandon Carlo-like return, meaning an NHL-ready prospect and a first.

With his term (2027 UFA) and relatively low $5.1 million cap hit, coupled with Philadelphia’s reported willingness to retain, that return could be realistic if they do opt to make a move.

So, if GM Danny Briere decides he does want to put Ristolainen on the trade market, what teams could be in play?

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Possible landing spots for Rasmus Ristolainen

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs were one of the teams to watch for Ristolainen this time last year. They opted for Brandon Carlo, who filled the hole Ristolainen could have.

Now, the Leafs are in the same spot, just a different year. Their season has turned around, but once again, they find themselves battling injuries and in need of a right-shot blueliner.

Chris Tanev is now expected to be done for the year. That could make the Leafs desperate for a defenseman – possibly desperate enough to pay a premium price for Ristolainen.

The fit is there. There has been plenty of research done by Toronto on the defenseman. He has been a possible trade target of theirs for a number of seasons now.

Now, the downside: Toronto does not have its first-round pick for the next two seasons. They also don’t have Fraser Minten, a center prospect that the Flyers would have likely loved. Minten was involved in the Carlo trade.

What they do have is defensive prospect Ben Danford. Danford currently plays for the Brantford Bulldogs in the OHL, coached by Jay McKee, a former teammate and friend of Danny Briere’s. They also have former London Knight Easton Cowan, who could still be traded for the right player.

Would they part with either of their top prospects for Ristolainen? Who knows. If the Maple Leafs get desperate enough, it could be a match made in heaven.

Dallas Stars

Let’s go with another usual suspect: the Dallas Stars.

Dallas is always looking to load up for a playoff push. They have been one of the beasts out west for a number of years. As always, a right-shot blueliner will be a focal point in their deadline hunt. Not to mention, the Stars are quite familiar with Finnish players.

Ristolainen could very well slot in as their RD2, behind Miro Heiskanen, and ahead of Ilya Lyubushkin.

Retention will almost have to be involved in this deal. So, once again, it’d have to be a premium price.

A swap for Lian Bischel would be cool, but I don’t envision the 6’7″ LHD being traded by the Stars. He is also on LTIR, but is trending in the right direction.

Dallas does not have a 2026 first-rounder, but they do have one in 2027, which could be enticing for the Flyers. They don’t have much as far as prospects. But a pick-heavy package with someone like Charlie Paquette or Mans Goos could be interesting.

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Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are another one of the “usual suspects” when it comes to the trade deadline and Rasmus Ristolainen. Edmonton always seems to be looking to upgrade its blueline. That’s probably because they have a world-class offense, but always fall short because of goaltending and the play in front of their netminder.

Ristolainen would easily slot in as the RD2 on a team that could use a boost for a Stanley Cup push.

The Oilers do not have a 2026 first, but do have a 2027 first-rounder. They also have fun prospects like Matt Savoie and Ike Howard. Although I doubt the Flyers go after another winger, and it feels like they won’t trade Savoie.

This is one of those teams where I can see them having interest in the Flyers’ blueliner, but I am not so sure what they would be willing to trade that would push Philadelphia over the edge, and get them to trade Ristolainen while in a playoff hunt.

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks, much like the Flyers, are a surprise as far as how well they have played this season. Anaheim sees itself in a very similar situation to Philadelphia. The main difference: the West is wide open.

Anaheim could use a boost on defense, especially when considering Radko Gudas is their current RD2. The Ducks also don’t have the in-house depth the Flyers do at the position. While this could be a bit of an under-the-radar option, I could see the Ducks as a sneaky suitor.

They also have the ammo to give Philadelphia anything they want – prospects, picks, even NHL forwards.

If the Flyers want a first, the Ducks have been stockpiling; they have plenty. They have plenty of prospects that could entice the Flyers, including Pavel Mintyukov, a young LHD with plenty of potential and a top-pair ceiling. The Ducks also have Eric Nilson and Lucas Pettersson, both of whom are smart, two-way centers.

However, I don’t see either center really moving the needle for the Flyers. One thing I like about the Ducks as potential trade partners is their depth at center in the NHL. The Flyers have been rumored to be looking for a 4C upgrade. Ryan Strome or Ryan Poehling could fill that need. Maybe the two sides find a way to help each other as they push for the playoffs.

I do think this type of move will be unlikely for the Ducks. But if the Western Conference is still as open as it is now come the deadline, and the Ducks remain in the hunt, they could sneakily be the best match for the Flyers. Could we see Briere make another deal with Pat Verbeek?

San Jose Sharks

This last one may be a shock, but I would not count out the San Jose Sharks. While you would not think they’d be interested in a veteran blueliner, recent news may indicate otherwise.

San Jose reportedly tried to trade for Devils’ defenseman Dougie Hamilton, but Hamilton blocked the deal over the summer.

Hamilton has certainly not played up to his deal, which still has three years at a $9 million AAV left after this season. While it very well could have been a deal to sit at the cap floor, the Sharks very much need help on defense.

Ristolainen could be the Sharks’ RD1 if a deal were made. Even without a strong blueline, the Sharks are currently 3rd in the Pacific.

Like the Ducks, San Jose has been stockpiling picks and prospects, and if they truly do want a RHD for their playoff push, they could give the Flyers what they want for Ristolainen.

The question becomes, aside from picks, what would the Sharks be willing to part with? Shakir Mukhamadulin? Joshua Ravensbergen? Maybe Filip Bystedt.

If San Jose continues its surprisingly good play, they could be a legitimate player for Rasmus Ristolainen, with plenty to offer the Flyers.

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