The Philadelphia Flyers have not made a substantial trade yet this week, as we are now deep into the final 24 hours before the NHL trade deadline on Friday, but they seem to now be getting a whole lot of interest in their top trade chip — even more than just a day ago.
Rasmus Ristolainen is not certain to be moved, since his contract runs through next season and by all reports, the Flyers do not feel like they have to trade the 31-year-old Finnish defenseman, but now it certainly seems like Philadelphia will be moved to get the most possible in return.
Trade market growing for Flyers’ Rasmus Ristolainen ahead of deadline
According to a little post from The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, there is a growing trade market for Ristolainen. While we were plenty familiar with the handful of teams that have already inquired about him who have yet to fill their need for a right-handed defenseman — the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and Tampa Bay Lightning — LeBrun makes reference that there are some additional teams who have thrown their hat in the ring.
Market expanded today for Rasmus Ristolainen, sounds like some new teams entered the picture.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 5, 2026
This is nothing but fantastic news for the Flyers. According to several reports leading up to the trade deadline, the Flyers want a package that is similar to what the Bruins got for blueliner Brandon Carlo from the Toronto Maple Leafs last season: A first-round pick, and a very solid prospect that could be close to playing in the NHL.
And while initially it seemed like a tall ask, right now — after Tyler Myers fetched a second-round pick, and other defensemen around the league are getting high draft picks like they’re nothing — with the trade examples we have already and the news that the market is getting even more competitive, the Flyers could get even more than they originally asked for.
One of the teams apparently interested is the Buffalo Sabres, which not only would be a perfect narrative as Ristolainen would return to the only other NHL team he’s known, but he would finally get to experience the playoffs (most likely). The Sabres have lots of intriguing prospects and all their first-round picks, so that really is an option as we head into the final hours of a possible move.
Other teams who have potentially engaged the Flyers in trade talks surrounding Ristolainen are the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks. Both of those teams have the desire to change some of their blue line and are scouring the market for the perfect fit.
We’ll just see where this goes but this is great news and might mean a trade won’t happen until the final few hours.
