INJURY: Flyers’ Blueliner Underwent Surgery in March

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen underwent surgery to repair a right tricep rupture on March 26th. The Surgery was successful, performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, California.

Ristolainen is expected to make a full recovery and miss about six months, including the Flyers’ 2025 training camp.

It is the Same Tricep for Rasmus Ristolainen

This injury is notable, given that it is the same tricep that Ristolainen had surgically repaired in April of last year.

Last season, Ristolainen suffered the injury two months before undergoing surgery, as he tried to play through the injury. The Flyers were in a different situation then–right in the playoff hunt. This season, it was the complete opposite.

One other thing worth noting is that Ristolainen’s injury had a three-month recovery timeframe, as this time around it doubled to six months.

The phrase used last go-around for Ristolainen’s tricep was “torn”; this time, it’s “ruptured”. Both phrases can be interchanged, but the different terminology leads me to believe that it is much worse this time.

That said, did the Flyers rush Ristolainen back from his previous injury? Did he never fully heal? Rupturing that same tricep tendon to me shows that he was never fully healed.

This time, the Flyers should be careful with Rasmus Ristolainen. There is no need for Ristolainen to rush back. He does not need to compete for a roster spot; why rush him back? The biggest thing holding Ristolainen’s value down is his health, so let him take his time and make a full recovery.

Ristolainen is expected to miss six months, making him available in late September. If he is completely healed, he could be ready for opening night.

Read More: Flyers Mock Draft 1.0: Round One

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