- Rasmus Ristolainen is out about two weeks with an upper-body injury
- Rick Tocchet says it’s the same hand injury that kept him out nine games
- Read below for what it means for a Flyers blue line already short on bodies
Rasmus Ristolainen is going back on the shelf for the Flyers.
Philadelphia announced Monday that the defenseman will be out approximately two weeks with an upper-body injury:
Head coach Rick Tocchet explained that this isn’t a new problem. Ristolainen reaggravated the same hand injury that cost him nine games earlier this season.
The 31-year-old only returned to the lineup Saturday, when the Flyers dropped a 5-4 game to the Ducks. That makes four games played for him this season, with one goal and no assists while averaging more than 17 minutes a night.
The timing stings for a team that is already second to last in the Metropolitan Division with nine points through 13 games. The Flyers host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday and visit the Capitals on Wednesday, and Ristolainen won’t be in either lineup.
Injuries have followed him for a while now. A triceps problem cost him a big chunk of last season, and he got into just 44 games, finishing with one goal and 13 assists. He then added a goal and four assists in 10 playoff games for Philadelphia.
Ristolainen is in the final year of a five-year, $25.5 million contract. The Flyers acquired him from Buffalo in July 2021, and he is in his sixth season with the club.
Philadelphia is also fielding trade interest in Travis Konecny while it sorts out the standings. Losing a veteran defenseman for the second time this month only adds to the pile.
