NHLTR Mock Trade: Flyers Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen To The Atlantic Division
The internet is chock full of armchair GMs who salivate at the thought of acquiring their favorite players for their team, or trading for that one position on the team at its weakest.
One mock trade we found online was for Philadelphia Flyers RHD Rasmus Ristolainen. No longer than namesake he used to be early in his career; he thrived under head coach John Tortorella, as a physical RHD with limited offensive upside.
Last season, he played only 44 games, scoring 14 points (1 goal, 13 assists) under head coach Rick Tocchet.
However, IceMetrix's trade proposal is pretty astounding, with the ask for Ristolainen. While he's projected to be a top-four defenseman in Philadelphia this season per Daily FaceOff's lineups, it's difficult to see this happen anytime soon.
Montreal Canadiens Mock Trade for Rasmus Ristolainen
— IceMetrix (@IceMetrix) August 16, 2026
PHI:
- Jayden Struble
- 1st Round Pick
MTL:
- Rasmus Ristolainen
WHO SAYS NO? #NHL #GoHabsGo #Habs #NHLFlyers https://t.co/QRYcbC4ieG pic.twitter.com/4SGxr6s3KP
The Montreal Canadiens would send Jayden Struble, who's a punishing, shutdown defenseman, who was drafted 46th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft. Attached to the defenseman would be a 1st-round pick, which, for the ever-increasing cost of right-handed defensemen, seems not so ridiculous anymore.
Struble played 59 games for the Canadiens, scoring 12 points (2 goals, 10 assists)
Would you say yes to this trade for veteran defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen?