After nine months of recovery, Rasmus Ristolainen will return to the ice for the Philadelphia Flyers, lining up against the Montreal Canadiens this Tuesday at Bell Centre.
Ristolainen’s Comeback
The 31‑year‑old defenseman, who suffered a second triceps tendon rupture, had been in surgery in March and spent the rest of the season on injured reserve. According to Rick Tocchet, who spoke to reporters in Montreal via PHLY Sports’ Charlie O’Connor, Ristolainen is ready to resume play. The Flyers will make his season debut at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSP.
Cam York’s Return
Just a week earlier, the Flyers also re‑added Cam York to the lineup after he missed the last four games with an upper‑body injury. With both Ristolainen and York back, the defense is now fully healthy for the first time in the season.
Tocchet’s Praise
Tocchet compared the two returns to a “really good trade.” He said, “You’re getting two quality D‑men in the lineup that know how to play D, know how to play without the puck. Risto has got a great shot. It’s good to have a guy back there who has got a bomb. Yorky’s intelligence in defending. It’s like making a major trade for us.”
Defensive Pairings
The Flyers have projected several defensive combinations for the upcoming game:
- Cam York – Travis Sanheim
- Emil Andrae – Jamie Drysdale
- Nick Seeler – Rasmus Ristolainen
These pairings will give the coaching staff flexibility as they prepare for the Canadiens’ attack.
Ristolainen’s Performance Before Injury
Prior to his injury, Ristolainen was arguably playing the best hockey of his career. In last season’s 63 games, the 6‑foot‑4 right‑handed shot tallied four goals, 15 assists and only 14 penalty minutes while averaging 20:31 minutes per game. Over his last 43 games before the injury, he accumulated 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) and posted a plus‑10 rating.
Roster Move Needed
The Flyers will have to make a roster move to activate Ristolainen off injured reserve. The team is considering Ty Murchison, who made his NHL debut a week ago and would not require waivers to be sent to the AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley.
Key Takeaways
- Ristolainen returns after March surgery, debuting Tuesday vs. Canadiens.
- Cam York also returns, restoring a fully healthy defense.
- Rick Tocchet likens the returns to a major trade, praising both players’ skills.
- Defensive pairings include York–Sanheim, Andrae–Drysdale, and Seeler–Ristolainen.
- Ristolainen’s pre‑injury stats show a productive season, with 4 goals and 15 assists.
- The Flyers must activate Ristolainen, possibly using Ty Murchison to avoid waiver complications.
The Flyers’ return of two key defensemen sets the stage for a competitive showdown against the Canadiens. Fans can expect a stronger defensive line and a fresh offensive spark from Ristolainen’s powerful shot.
Closing
With Ristolainen’s comeback and York’s return, Philadelphia’s defense is back in full swing. The upcoming game against Montreal will test the Flyers’ renewed lineup and offer a glimpse of what the team can achieve with its top defensemen healthy and ready.
