Rasmus Ristolainen Re-Signs With Flyers For Foreseeable Future
The Philadelphia Flyers have re-signed Rasmus Ristolainen to a five-year 5.1 million AAV contract that will run through the 2026-27 season. This is an interesting move for the Flyers to say the least, as they just kept one of their best trade options as the deadline nears.
Rasmus Ristolainen definitely has not played up to par for where he was drafted eighth overall in 2013 by the Buffalo Sabres. The former top defenseman is still playing a big role on his new team in the Flyers, but things have not been successful in Philly so far as the team is eighth in their division and are on the outside looking into the playoffs.
Ristolainen has put up two goals and 11 assists in 49 games this season. Over the course of his career, he has put up 258 points over 591 games. Where he has really been helping the Flyers this season is his physicality. He has put up a team-leading 177 hits, and he is leading by a wide margin.
This definitely has the potential to be Ristolainen’s most physical season yet with a lot of hockey left to be played. For the Flyers though you have to wonder why they would pay such a high price for Ristolainen.
Ristolainen was overpaid on his last contract at 5.4 million, and now he did take a little bit of a decrease to stay in Philly but considering the direction of the team after this season I do not understand keeping Ristolainen around.
The price of defensemen are going up around the league. This summer the signing of Seth Jones and Darnell Nurse at above nine million drove up the price of every other category as well. Now a middle four defenseman like Ristolainen is bringing in over five million for five seasons. The 27-year-old definitely will have made a lot of money by the time this deal is done. Here is what the Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher had to say on the news:
“Rasmus is an important part of our team and we are very happy to have him on our blue line for the next five years. He is committed to being a Flyer, and brings a consistent physical presence to our team.”
Time will tell whether or not this was a good move for the Philaelphia Flyers. For a bit of fun, check out the replies to the tweet in which the Flyers announced the news.