The Philadelphia Flyers’ defensive depth has taken another hit, as defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has been ruled week-to-week with an upper-body injury. This marks yet another setback for the 30-year-old, who has struggled with injuries throughout his tenure in Philadelphia, playing more than 70 games in a season just once since joining the team.
Initially listed as day-to-day, Ristolainen has not played since March 11. His sudden change in status has raised concerns, particularly given a similar situation last season. In 2024, he was first reported to have a minor upper-body injury in February, but his condition was later downgraded to week-to-week. Ultimately, he missed the remainder of the season, later revealing he had undergone surgery on his triceps tendon.
Flyers head coach John Tortorella provided little optimism regarding Ristolainen’s return, stating on Thursday that he does not expect the defenseman back anytime soon. With just 12 games remaining in the regular season—excluding Thursday’s matchup against the Washington Capitals—there is growing speculation that Ristolainen may once again miss the crucial stretch run.
His absence presents a difficult situation for the Flyers. Tortorella has made it clear throughout the season that he values Ristolainen’s presence in the lineup. Meanwhile, Flyers general manager Danny Brière, in his post-trade deadline press conference, emphasized that moving Ristolainen at the deadline would have left a “huge hole” in the team’s defensive core. He also noted that, should the Flyers make the playoffs, the veteran defenseman would be “very, very valuable.”
However, the uncertainty surrounding Ristolainen’s health complicates those expectations. Last season, he was unavailable for both the beginning and end of the campaign, key stretches when the Flyers were in playoff contention. Now, with the team struggling through a 2-7-1 skid in their last 10 games and coming off back-to-back shutout losses, his absence is particularly glaring.
The Flyers now face a dilemma: Is it worth holding onto a player who has proven unreliable at critical points in the season? Conversely, does it make sense to trade him at a diminished value given his recent injury history?
Beyond Ristolainen, the Flyers must also assess their future on the blue line. Young defensemen like Oliver Bonk and Spencer Gill are expected to turn pro within the next year, and Helge Grans, a key piece of the Ivan Provorov trade, has shown promise in limited NHL action. With these emerging prospects, the organization must determine how—or if—Ristolainen fits into their long-term plans.
Despite his injury struggles, Ristolainen has been a key contributor this season, recording four goals, 15 assists, and 19 points while averaging 20:31 of ice time—his highest under Tortorella. Whether this latest setback alters his role with the Flyers remains to be seen, but the uncertainty surrounding his status only adds to the growing challenges facing Philadelphia as the season nears its conclusion.