The Olympics are underway, and men's hockey featuring NHL players for the first time since 2014 kicked off with a game between Finland and Slovakia. It was a slight upset, with the Slovakian team upsetting the Finns 4-1. Only one member of the Philadelphia Flyers featured in the match: Rasmus Ristolainen.
The big, right-shot defenseman has had a tumultuous time in Philadelphia, often finding himself on injured reserve. And, at the start of his tenure with the Flyers, he was held in low esteem by the fanbase. Ever since then-GM Chuck Fletcher traded for Ristolainen, it seems like he's been in trade rumors.
In his first season with the Flyers, he could've been moved at the deadline, until Fletcher signed him to a five-year extension. When Danny Briere took over as general manager, Ristolainen was an obvious trade candidate due to his age and the desire of playoff teams for "playoff style" defensemen (even though Ristolainen himself, in 13 NHL seasons, has never been in the playoffs). No deal has materialized for the Finnish blue liner, and he has one year remaining on the extension he signed in 2022.
However, the Olympics are a playoff atmosphere of sorts, and could act as a showcase for Ristolainen, perhaps enticing some NHL general manager into a trade ahead of the March deadline. Ristolainen was noticeable in his first game, using his physicality to impose himself. He crashed the net at one point, nearly scoring a goal, and laid the big hits we in Philadelphia have been accustomed to seeing.
If Ristolainen keeps getting minutes for the Finnish team and can remind everyone what he can bring to a high-pressure, competitive atmosphere, he'll do wonders for this trade value. With only six points in 19 games this season after returning from injury, it's been an underwhelming year for him.
But a strong Olympic showing could make him the apple of some NHL GM's eye. At the very least, perhaps he'll rejoin the Flyers feeling confident and ready to get the team in the playoff picture down the stretch. He's due for a playoff debut.