April 20, 2025
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has undergone triceps surgery and could miss the start of 2025-26. The Finnish rearguard also dealt with the same injury last term, making only 31 appearances. He missed the final 16 games this season, finishing with 19 points (four goals, 15 assists), 94 blocks, and 97 hits in 63 appearances. The 30-year-old surpassed 300 career points in 2024-25, boasting 56 goals and 248 assists through 776 contests. This was the third season of Ristolainen's five-year, $25.5 million contract that he signed with the Flyers in 2022.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Jordan Hall
March 14, 2025
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (upper body) is viewed as day-to-day. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status leading up to their next contest on Saturday evening against the Hurricanes as he may face an uphill battle to suit up. If he were to miss this contest, fantasy managers should expect Egor Zemula to enter the starting lineup and play alongside rookie Emil Andrae on the bottom pairing. Ristolainen was unable to play during their previous game on Thursday evening as well. Before his injury, the 30-year-old was held off the scoresheet over his last six games. However, during this stretch, he logged 10 hits with seven blocks. Before this offensive slump, Ristolainen tallied six points over his last seven. When he is cleared to return, he will only carry value in deeper formats that reward hits and blocked shots.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Philadelphia Flyers
March 13, 2025
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (undisclosed) will not play in Thursday's contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning. According to Jordan Hall of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Ristolainen is "banged up", suggesting he isn't dealing with a serious injury. However, the Finnish blue-liner needs to take some time off to heal. Egor Zamula will re-enter the lineup as Ristolainen's replacement. Zamula has gone scoreless in five consecutive appearances, but he has sometimes chipped in offensively. In 47 outings this season, the 24-year-old has recorded three goals and 14 points. With that said, Zamula will only see third-pairing minutes on Thursday, and it's a tough matchup for his crew, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to make a significant impact.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Jordan Hall
February 9, 2025
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (upper body) will not play in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off. After sustaining an upper-body injury, Ristolainen has been forced to sit out three games and will not be ready to help Team Finland in the tournament, which begins next week. Across 54 appearances this season, Ristolainen has recorded 15 points (two goals, 13 assists), 74 shots, 85 blocks, and 83 hits. Nikolas Matinpalo of the Ottawa Senators will replace Ristolainen on Finland's roster. Matinpalo has only 22 career NHL appearances under his belt, with no points recorded. The Finland defense will also be without Miro Heiskanen (knee) of the Dallas Stars and Jani Hakanpaa (lower body) of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com