The worst-kept secret as the NHL trade deadline draws near is that Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen might be moved to a serious contender with a need for a player at that position.
Ristolainen played great for Finland at the Olympics and he has hit the ice flying since his return to Philadelphia.
Question is: Would the Flyers be willing to let him go if someone made GM Daniel Briere an offer he couldn’t refuse.
You have to believe coach Rick Tocchet has his fingers crossed that Ristolainen is not going anywhere.
“I thought he was outstanding yesterday (in Monday night’s 3-2 shootout win at Toronto),” Tocchet said after Tuesday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center. “He’s a big defenseman, he’s got a good shot. He was wheeling the puck last night like Bobby Orr.”
Adding to the possible confusion is the fact the Flyers have suddenly won three games in a row and moved themselves back to within four points of a playoff spot (prior to Tuesday night action).
If you’re making a legitimate push for the playoffs, why give up one of your most versatile players?
“I love the guy,” Tocchet said of RR. “But I don’t know. It’s a business. Whatever happens, happens. I can’t worry about that stuff. But I will say he’s played really well under me.”
Big, mobile, hard-hitting defensemen with a knack for offense don’t come down the pike that often.
“I can’t speculate,” said Tocchet on the odds of Ristolainen getting moved. “I try to coach in real time.”
>Better defense
The Flyers have allowed less than two goals per game (seven in four) since the Olympic break and the defense has been about as good as it has been all season.
“More aggressive,” Tocchet said. “We’re trying to make less guys have decision-making. It’s hard to play that way but you have to continue to do it. You’re going to have some bumps and bruises; some icebags after games. But you have to play that style.
“But there are also going to be times when you can’t go flying in there. Communicate and keep people to the outside. But I have liked the pace of being more aggressive.”
>Injury updates
Travis Konecny, who missed Monday night’s game against Toronto with an upper-body injury, continues to be listed as day-to-day. Defenseman Nick Seeler, who left the aforementioned game sometime in the second period, also did not skate on Tuesday. Both are listed as game time decisions for Thursday night’s home game against Utah.
Also, Christian Dvorak and Rasmus Ristolainen did not skate on Tuesday as they were given maintenance days. Tocchet said Ristolainen was “banged up a little bit.”
>Big moments
In the four games since the Olympics break, the Flyers seem to be coming up big in the big moments. For instance, they had killed off 18 straight power plays until Toronto scored late in the game.
Tocchet cited Cates’ big goal to put the Flyers ahead by a 2-1 score in the game which they ended up winning in a shootout.
“I thought in the third period we spent less time in our end,” the coach said. “Squashing plays. We’ve really tried to implement that since the break.
“In moments: Like ‘Mich’ (Matvei Michkov) two goals against the Rangers, one in overtime. A big penalty kill against the Rangers (in overtime). Big goal by Cates, big moments late in the game. I thought the PK was terrific.”
These are the types of clutch performances on which Tocchet has his eye.
“So I think you’re getting big moments,” Tocchet said. “At this time of the year, when things are tight, to come up with those types of moments, I think we’re getting them. But I also think playing better in our own end.”
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