Rasmus Ristolainen signed a five-year, $25.5 million contract extension with the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. The deal with carry an average annual value of $5.1 million. No movement or trade clause was not included in the deal.
The 27-year-old defenseman was set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. As well as, a hot commodity on the trade front ahead of the March 21st trade deadline.
Ristolainen has 13 points – 2 goals & 11 assists – in 49 games in his first season in Philadelphia.
Extension talks started to ramp up last week between Ristolainen & the Flyers. With talks becoming more serious on Wednesday & both camps coming to a mutual deal fairly quickly.
One source mentioned Ristolainen wanted to stay with the Flyers more than being traded. Continued by adding Ristolainen has fell in love with the culture of the team & its history. Believes that culture fits his game.
Over the past month, Ristolainen has found some great chemistry with his defense partner Travis Sanheim. The pair playing their best hockey together after John Torchetti joined the Flyers on January 25th.
As for Travis Sanheim… there is reason to believe, with Ristolainen re-signed, that Sanheim may become available.
With Rasmus Ristolainen now off the table, the Flyers may be looking to move Travis Sanheim. A move that would net the Flyers a big return. Possibly even bigger than a potential Ristolainen return.
Sanheim, who has one-year remaining ($4.675 million) on his current deal, is just 25-years-old.
Buckle up, the Flyers “re-tool” has begun with the re-signing of Rasmus Ristolainen. Now, all eyes head to captain Claude Giroux. Who is the Flyers other big trade piece on the market.
The trade deadline is just 11 days away.
PHOTO CREDIT: Mitchell Leff – Getty Images
