Rasmus Ristolainen Skates With Flyers as his Rehab Continues

Injured Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen skated with the Flyers for the first time since his injury last March.

Ristolainen joined the Flyers for their morning skate in a red non-contact jersey ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Sabres.

It’s about this time that the defenseman was expected to start ramping up his rehab, so skating with the team is not a shock. At the end of October, Flyers’ GM Danny Briere gave an update on the defenseman, saying he could be ready to start skating with the team in four to six weeks.

It has been five weeks since that update, and Ristoalainen hit the ice with his teammates for the first time since his injury.

As for a timetable on when to expect him in a game, that is still a little foggy. The 6’4″ defenseman is still gearing up for contact and is not quite there. Once he is ready for contact, a clearer timeframe will be given.

For now, head coach Rick Tocchet said that he does not want to be married to a date. “It’s not a month, it’s not a week. So it’s that sweet spot,“ said Tocchet.

The Flyers’ blueliner skated with Flyers’ defensive coach Todd Reirden during Tuesday’s day off. He got some more time in with Tocchet during Wednesday’s skate.

Philly knows not to rush Ristolainen back from his injury, but the defenseman is getting closer to his return.

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