Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA
Pittsburgh Penguins linked to Rasmus Ristolainen as Philadelphia Flyers set first-round trade price
Photo credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Pierre LeBrun reports the Flyers want a first-round pick and prospect for Rasmus Ristolainen, and the Pittsburgh Penguins suddenly sit right in that conversation.
Ristolainen is 31, a 2013 first-round pick, selected 8th overall by the Buffalo Sabres, and the Philadelphia Flyers know contenders hunt right-shot defensemen in March.
His contract matters. Ristolainen carries a $5.1 million cap hit through the 2026-27 season before reaching UFA status.
That term makes him more than a rental, which is why the Flyers are pushing for a premium return now.
For Pittsburgh, the fit is obvious because their blue line still leans heavily on Kris Letang playing big minutes every night.
A second-pair right defender who can kill penalties and clear the crease would ease that workload immediately.
Re Rasmus Ristolainen: "The current asking price from the Flyers is a first round pick and a prospect."
- Pierre LeBrun
- Pierre LeBrun
The Penguins sit in a tight Eastern playoff race, and Kyle Dubas has already shown he is willing to move futures for roster help.
Ristolainen has 1-5-6 in 23 games this season while returning from injury, but teams evaluating him focus on defensive usage.
His value shows up in matchups, net-front battles, and penalty-kill shifts, not the scoresheet.
Rasmus Ristolainen could solve Pittsburgh Penguins blue line problem
Penguins fans know the feeling right now, because the roster looks competitive but one defensive injury could derail everything.
Adding Ristolainen would allow Pittsburgh to balance the right side behind Letang and stabilize defensive zone starts.
The cap puzzle is real though, since Pittsburgh would likely need salary retention or a contract moving out.
That is where the first-round price tag becomes complicated for Dubas.
Still, contenders routinely overpay for right-shot defensemen at the deadline, especially ones signed beyond the current season.
If the Penguins believe this core still has one more playoff push, Ristolainen suddenly becomes a very logical target before Friday's deadline.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
Erik Karlsson stays positive after Penguins dominate shots but lose 2-1 to Bruins in Boston
Erik Karlsson stays positive after Penguins dominate shots but lose 2-1 to Bruins in Boston
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
| POLL | ||
MARS 4|158 ANSWERS Pittsburgh Penguins linked to Rasmus Ristolainen as Philadelphia Flyers set first-round trade price Should Kyle Dubas trade a first-round pick and prospect for Rasmus Ristolainen? | ||
| Yes | 51 | 32.3 % |
| No | 107 | 67.7 % |
| List of polls | ||