Edmonton Oilers & Philadelphia Flyers To Discuss Trade
Per Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet, the Oilers have been named as a team likely to be interested in acquiring the Philadelphia Flyers defenseman this summer, reigniting a pursuit that nearly came together at the trade deadline in March before Edmonton pivoted to acquire Connor Murphy from Chicago instead.
The Nurse Connection
Edmonton's interest is tied to the Darnell Nurse situation.
Nurse has requested a trade, and in moving him, the Oilers would shed most if not all of his $9.25 million cap hit.
Ristolainen, by contrast, will earn $5.1 million for the 2026-27 campaign, the final year of his five-year, $25.5 million contract.
Flyers remain engaged in trade talks involving RD Rasmus Ristolainen. There are multiple teams, including Ottawa, in pursuit.
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) June 24, 2026
Per PuckPedia, the Oilers have just over $7 million in projected cap space, but a Nurse trade would open up significantly more room and create a clear vacancy on the right side of the blue line that Ristolainen is built to fill.
The Oilers have been searching for a top-four right-shot defenseman to play alongside their core for a very long time.
Edmonton has also been busy this offseason, signing forward Jason Dickinson to a five-year, $20 million extension and locking up Murphy on a five-year, $20.5 million extension.
What Ristolainen Brings
Ristolainen, 31, is a 6-foot-4 right-shot defenseman who was drafted eighth overall by Buffalo in 2013.
Early in his career, he was a point-producing but defensively shaky player, but he has emerged as a strong defender since joining Philadelphia, due in large part to his development under the Flyers' coaching staff.
In 44 games this past season, he posted one goal, 13 assists, 14 points, 48 blocks, 63 hits, and a plus-10 rating.
Rasmus Andersson: a hockey analytics story pic.twitter.com/yxbsxFTAZv
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) March 19, 2026
He also played a significant role for Team Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, helping his country to a bronze medal, which raised his stock after durability concerns had been the main worry for interested teams.
If the Oilers struck a deal, Ristolainen would form a strong right-side trio with Evan Bouchard and Murphy, giving Edmonton depth and physicality on the back end as they try to prove they remain true contenders.
The Competition
Edmonton will not have a clear path to Ristolainen.
Per The Fourth Period, the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, and Anaheim Ducks are among the other teams linked to him this offseason, each of them in need of help on the right side of their blue line.
The Flyers are not expected to simply give him away.
Philadelphia held firm at the deadline with an asking price of a first-round pick and a prospect, and with one year remaining on a reasonable contract, the team is comfortable keeping Ristolainen if it does not get the return it wants.
For the Oilers, the question is whether they are willing to pay that price this time after letting the same player slip away once already.
