Has Risto become the Flyers' best defenseman?
When the Flyers executed the trade to acquire Rasmus Ristolainen, there were high hopes and expectations surrounding the young defenseman. Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2013 as the 8th overall pick in the 1st round, he was a consistent presence in their top 4 but never managed to fully realize his potential with them.
Standing at 6'4» and weighing 223 pounds, the 28-year-old possesses a dominant presence that gives him an advantage in size and puck control. He was brought to the Flyers during the summer of 2021 in exchange for Robert Hagg, along with a 1st and 2nd round draft pick, and subsequently secured a 5-year extension.
His time under the guidance of head coach John Tortorella has proven to be fruitful. Throughout the previous season, Risto evolved into a dominant player, showcasing commendable defensive hockey skills.
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"He's our most improved player. He deserves to be put in all situations," as quoted by Torts.
Ristolainen himself acknowledged the positive impact of Tortorella on his growth as a player, stating,
"It's pretty simple and clear. It's honest. I think the way he is, and the way he coaches, he probably gets the most out of me. That's what I appreciate, the honesty, good or bad. Sometimes I'll need a little push and a kick in the a**," remarked Ristolainen.
In the 2022-2023 season, Risto participated in 74 games, amassing 3 goals and 17 assists for a total of 20 points, along with a notably improved -4 rating. He averaged around 19 minutes of ice time per game last season. With the departures of Tony DeAngelo and Ivan Provorov from the team, it is widely anticipated that Ristolainen will assume the role of their number-one defenseman in the upcoming season.
| POLL | ||
28 AOUT | 7 ANSWERS Has Risto become the Flyers' best defenseman? Do you think Risto is the Flyers number one defenseman? | ||
| Yes | 4 | 57.1 % |
| No | 3 | 42.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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