The NHL trade deadline is this Friday, March 6, at 3:00 p.m. ET, meaning that all 32 teams have a limited amount of time to bring in outside help or additional assets before the conclusion of the season. For the Philadelphia Flyers, their playoff chances look bleak. With the trade deadline approaching, they have let teams know that they are open to listening to offers for Rasmus Ristolainen. They aren't determined to trade him by the deadline, but they could be convinced if the right offer arrives.
On Tuesday, Flyers fans were given a shock when they saw that Ristolainen was a non-participant in the team's practice. Given the trade deadline being at the end of the week, some fans were curious as to whether Ristolainen was being held out for trade purposes or if it was for injury reasons.
That had Flyers fans taking to social media to ponder what Ristolainen's absence could mean.
RISTO?? Now why is that. pic.twitter.com/EspeeSgvC8
— Duck Fwetcher (@DuckFwetcher) March 3, 2026
Let's hope it's a trade and not a risto injury
— KratosKilla (@KratosKilla) March 3, 2026
Time to play everyone's favorite game show this week
— Idiot Sandwich (@IdiottSandwich) March 3, 2026
RISTO: HURT OR TRADED!
Praying Risto isn't actually banged up and this is all precautionary for a trade, if not this dude belongs in the hall of fame for worst timing #LetsGoFlyers
— Kyle Adams (@kadams225) March 3, 2026
After practice, Flyers fans received their answer: Ristolainen's absence was not due to a looming trade.
Rasmus Ristolainen's missed Flyers practice was not for trade reasons
Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet revealed that Ristolainen missed practice due to being given a maintenance day alongside forward Christian Dvorak due to being "banged up." The Flyers will next play on Thursday when they host the Utah Mammoth. Once that concludes, it will be the last chance to negotiate a trade before the end of the season.
The Flyers aren't going to trade Ristolainen just for the sake of trading him. According to The Athletic NHL insider Pierre LeBrun (subscription required), the Flyers are seeking a first-round pick and a prospect in return for Ristolainen. But, LeBrun says the Flyers will be flexible for offers, depending on the team.
Ristolainen is a right-shot defenseman that has term left on his contract, which is one year worth $5.1 million. There are plenty of teams that are interested in Ristolainen's services and if there is stiff competition between them, the Flyers could get the offer they are seeking, and then some.
This season, Ristolainen only played 23 games, recording one goal, five assists, and a -3 plus/minus ratio. The limited playing time this season was due to recovering from a triceps injury suffered late last season.
Ristolainen did prove his value in the Olympics for Team FInland, notching three assists and recording a +9 plus/minus ratio while averaging 19:45 of ice time.
The Flyers have the next couple of days to field offers for Ristolainen and see if there is anything that would make them consider moving on from a top four defenseman. As of now, there is no trade offer on the table. Ristolainen missed practice due to being given a maintenance day, not because of an impending trade.