Do The Flyers Really Need Rasmus Ristolainen?

So far, the Flyers are 4-2-0 in their six games of play.  If the season were to end today, they’d be in the playoffs. Of course, the same could’ve been said at this point last season as well. That’s why the NHL plays 82 games and not six.

Part of that good start is due to the play of their defenders. The Flyers have given up just 14 goals. That’s currently fifth best in the league. That’s also considering that they’ve played juggernaut teams in the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers. So, averaging slightly more than two goals a game is not bad.

And all of this is without Rasmus Ristolainen; a player that, when they traded for, was seen to be, at one point in his career, a hot commodity. So far, he hasn’t suited up for the team. Ristolainen has been holed with an undisclosed injury. Whatever it is, it has been enough to keep him sidelined while the Flyers defensive players play on without him. So far, they’ve been successful.

In all, six defenders have hit the ice for the Flyers as new coach John Tortorella adjusts his lineups to see what combos are working the best. Another three have been on the roster just in case. The defense first mindset, with the forwards jumping in to contribute, has been paying off.

Ivan Provorov and Tony DeAngelo share a tie for third place on the team with five points, with Provy’s all being assists and Tony D scoring one goal. Justin Braun is the only defender with a negative rating (a -1). DeAngelo, Provorov, and Travis Sanheim are all averaging over 20 min of ice time (I guess he may be worth that contract after all!) Egor Zamula and Nick Seeler have played well enough to earn a continuing spot on the team.

All of this begs to ask the question. Do we really need Risto?

First, the Ristolainen trade was very controversial. While he was a talented youngster in Finland, he has yet to show how good he can be. Yes, he’s had flashes, but flashes don’t make a career. He has yet to have any sort of really extended period of time to show what he has been capable of. Even more, the Flyers gave up some considerable draft stock (a first rounder and a second rounder) to acquire him.

Secondly, the extension irritated more fans than the trade did. Almost immediately after being acquired, he was signed to a long term extension. For a player who had yet to prove that he deserved a big payday, the Flyers gave him one. Granted, I get it. The team wanted to beef up the defense. After all, it was the same offseason where Ryan Ellis was acquired. They didn’t want to give up that much for him only to see him walk at the end of the year. So realistically, you had to give him that contract.

But has he earned it? For a guy who was supposed to help be an offensive juggernaut on defense, he scored 16 points last year; a career low since he became a full time starter. In comparison, the player he replaced, Shayne Gostisbehere, has scored more career points (275 to 261) in less games played (468 to 608)

Then, there are the salary cap issues. Risto is pricey at $5.1 million a year. That’s not bad if he was performing at a top level. But he is barely performing as a second line defender. His value is better suited to be somewhere in the $3-$4 million range.

He’s taken back to the ice recently and may make his debut for the team soon. If and when he returns, who are you going to sit? DeAngelo? Provorov? They’ve been rock solid. Sanheim?  He’s been good, but still needs some improving. Braun has been steady, as usual. He’s not flashy, but not prone to making mistakes. Zamula and Seeler and getting much needed playing time that is fueling their growth and development. As of right now, this team has a really capable defensive unit going. I see no reason to shake that up.  You don’t need to warp the chemistry that has been building since training camp.

In my opinion, Risto could make great trade bait for someone. Yes, yes, yes….I know. The Flyers will never, ever, ever come close to recovering what we paid to land him in the first place. And based on how much salary cap relief we’ll get in return, we’ll probably land, at best, a low level to mid level pick (maybe fourth round at the highest) or a couple of toss-in prospects who we’ll most likely never hear of again. Other teams will know we are desperate to dump him and not give us any sort of fair trade.

But you know what? If that’s what it takes to wipe the slate clean, I say do it. Send him off and let our young defenders have a crack at it. Maybe this opens up a space for Cam York to finally showcase his talents. Maybe Zamula and Seeler are here to stay.

But in all honesty, I just don’t see room on this team for Ristolainen. With the new schemes and mentality, he doesn’t seem to be a fit. Sometimes it’s like a long term relationship that you know isn’t going anywhere…sometimes you need to break it off rather than prolong the inevitable before it gets worse.