NHL Trade Talk
Flyers Emerge as Potential Oilers Trade Partner
In a somewhat unsurprising twist, the Philadelphia Flyers have emerged as a logical Edmonton Oilers trade partner.
Why, you may ask?
Oilers forward Evander Kane is expected to undergo surgery soon to repair a sports hernia, meaning that Kane and his $5.125 million cap hit could come off the books if Edmonton utilizes their LTIR space.
Additionally, Oilers broadcaster Bob Stauffer recently posted to his X account that we should, “Fully expect the Oilers to be in the market for a 2nd pairing RD…at some point…”
“Preferably with a little term left…,” Stauffer concluded.
Great to see the @EdmontonOilers key Management people and HC Kris Knoblauch all in Penticton.
Fully expect the Oilers to be in the market for a 2nd pairing RD…at some point…
Preferably with a little term left…— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) September 15, 2024
Many Western Conference teams have scouted the Flyers a good amount over the last year or so, and the Oilers were one of them. The one name that fits Stauffer’s criteria is Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, who has three years remaining on his contract at a $5.1 million cap hit.
Coincidentally, that cap hit is almost exactly the same as Kane’s.
It is worth noting that Ristolainen, 29, is coming off a season-ending triceps injury and has not played in an NHL game since Feb. 10. A Stanley Cup contender like the Oilers would be taking a huge risk in a potential Ristolainen trade, given the fact that he has not shown that he’s back to his old self following the surgery and subsequent rehab.
And, although the Flyers have managed to get the best out of Ristolainen under the tutelage of coaches John Tortorella and Brad Shaw, the organization may feel slightly more inclined to move Ristolainen if a suitable offer comes in due to his age.
Ristolainen will turn 30 years old shortly after the start of the regular season on Oct. 27, and with young defensemen like Emil Andrae, Ronnie Attard, and Adam Ginning knocking on the door for an opportunity, the Flyers may have to make some sacrifices one way or the other.
Additionally, London Knights standout and former first-round pick Oliver Bonk could prove ready for NHL action, too, before Ristolainen’s contract expires in Philadelphia.
One last thing to consider in a potential Oilers trade is the fact that the Flyers are currently estimated to be $829,763 over the NHL salary cap. A resolution to the Ryan Johansen contract termination debacle does not appear to be immediately forthcoming, so the Flyers may have to make a corresponding move to get under the salary cap by the start of the regular season.
Ristolainen scored one goal, three assists, and four points in 31 appearances for the Flyers last season.
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I am all for it…….Flyers need cap relief……even eating 30% of Risto’s contract would help the cap situation. Danny needs to play the bidding war game….Flames have already announced they would take on large contracts, with an added asset, like a prospect, in any deal. Risto and fellow Finn Samu to the Flames would get you back a high pick in the 2025 draft ….a loaded prospect class.
You’ve been pounding the trade Risto chant forever. If they decide to move him they should retain ZERO. Eating 1.7 million for three years just adds to the dead cap space the team has. If Risto gets moved anywhere, zero retention needs to be involved. One of the next two off seasons is when the checkbook needs to come out and sign two free agents to add to the skill quality. Additional dead cap space doesn’t help.
They should have more breathing room after this year…Tony DeA is off the books, Johansen and that debacle should be also over with….Hayes has one more year @ $3.6M and Cam Atkinson @ $1.8M. Right now they are a negative $830K…..which is one of the worse in the league. Granted why eat any of Risto’s contract, I agree with that…..but some teams want their cake and eat it too……Flames have the room to eat the whole Risto contract, as long as a prospect is added into the equation. Personally, I’d like another draft pick for that 2025 draft class…..a high one, like a 2nd rounder
We ain’t playing for this year . Our time is 2 years from now. We don’t care if we are eating Johansson, hayes and whoever else until it’s geaux time and our window is open . They are building
flyers fans don’t know what a defensive backstop looks like . Last one we had was Pronger . Niskanen played a lite role as the #2 . He’s our only other defensive standout last 15 years since pronger
everyone is judging Sanheim , risto etc etc against a backdrop in full tank mode last few years . That’s not fair . Couturier was sat intentionally as well. You haven’t even seen a team with any effort since 2020.
we have drysdale , michkov and the rest of these Christmas presents because our guys were told to stand down
when u want get rid of my backstop , who are u replacing him with . Ginning looks like he can’t skate yet . Don’t tell me Andrae is going to be on my roster for a cup . People don’t know the cup playoffs and the physical requirement . Girard broke in 2 with a broken back in avlanches run a few years ago . Andrae wouod break in 3 .
I need size and an elite defender if risto goes . Tell us who it’s going to be for 3 short years from now .
I’m going with Tortorella comments . He told reporters after red wings gsme last year “watch who you drive out of town”. After risto played on top pair and full tilt for once
they also said in the National tv gsme last year when delauriers fought rempe the announcers said Tortorella LOvES Ristoleinen while he was out
it’s the same speak on the internet over and over . About risto had to be sheltered. That’s all BS . It was a tank . Gimme a break
let’s not drive my only potential ELiTE defender out of town like torts says becuase the media makes stuff up on what a coach said . He can’t come out and say it’s a tank .
Tortorella has been trying to win yet . He has made it clear the guys are all “ learning to play “.
Who’s going to be my backstop if risto goes for my cup in 3 years . If u want him to go , give us names . I’ll laugh and let u know what i think . So everytime u want to boot risto , I need a name . Because im not seeing anything in entire organization that can be a backstop like risto . Even Seeler will work for 3rd pair but his ceiling is limited against the best
flyers fans gotta watch the playoffs . Between the 3 flyers blogs I’ve had to give everyone an education on what a optical backstop Is. we haven’t had one since pronger left that can win the cup
No way . We need a power wing like Kane . But Edmonton doesn’t need a defensive defensman . They have nurse and the big 7 foot dude . They don’t need risto . They need Kane at full strength . He’s a power wing that can skate
i would buy it since Edmonton on the cusp of cup but they don’t need a backstop like risto . Nurse is his clone .Edmonton’s defense is actually perfect with bouchard at the #1 and ekholm the defense portion of that pairing
we are going for a cup in 3 years . Emil Andrae will break in 2 in Stanley cup playoffs . If this was 2016 , people could welcome him like they did ghost, provy and hagg and delzotto and all those other junk offensive defensman who can’t play defense at ALL for playoffs
My man, the Flyers are 5 years away “IF” Michkov is the real deal and they do a bunch of things right moving forward.
This team has made so many mistakes over the past 10 years it’s impossible to list them all…you could make the argument that the Flyers have been the worst NHL organization during the “salary cap era”…they NEVER have real money to spend. How can a team that has missed the playoffs 5 straight seasons NOT have real money to spend…..
Go take a look at the final 8 playoff teams from this past season…ALL of them are significantly better in the offensive zone and some of the final 8 are light years better.
Example Chicago Core during their recent run 2009-17 ish.
Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp
Seabrook, Keith
Crawford
The current Flyers team does NOT have a single player on the roster who is on that level, and that’s the level you need to get to in order to compete for Chips…..we are years away.
Kane and Hyman are Oilers two main power wings . They just lost Holloway . Kane and Hyman are 32 and 33 . Our window doesn’t open for 2-3 years . Kane would be 36. Doesn’t help us . Kane is perfect for mcdavid because he can skate fast for a power wing . I would take Kane if he met our timeline of 2-4 years from now , he’s nuts but too old for us , perfect for them
Oilers need Sanheim or york to pair with nurse . Risto IS Darnell nurse clone they are the same player . They are both the 2nd pair backstops like trouba and ekblad too. Oilers need an offensive 2nd pair for nurse if anything . Risto is wrong fit . I’ll give them york but I want something that fits our timeline and I’m not seeing it . We need a top line power wing and Draisaitl . Kane is too old for us or I’d take him for michkov line like they have done .
im definitley not giving up Sanheim when he’s been waiting patiently Thru the “retool” then the “rebuild “ , or tank . I’m not giving up york unless I’m getting something for my top line cneter or power wing