Ristolainen Returns as Flyers Get Defensive Boost Against Canadiens
So here’s the big storyline going into the Flyers’ matchup with the Montreal Canadiens: Rasmus Ristolainen is officially back. After months of waiting and a long recovery process, the Flyers have activated the veteran defenseman from injured non-roster status and added him back to the active lineup. His return comes just in time for Tuesday night’s game at the Bell Centre, and it feels like a major moment for a Flyers team that has been searching for stability on the blue line.
Ristolainen hasn’t played a game in more than nine months, after undergoing surgery in March to repair a second triceps tendon rupture. It’s been a long road back, and his absence was clearly felt. Now, though, he’s been cleared, he’s ready, and he’s expected to make his season debut against Montreal. To make room for him, defenseman Ty Murchison has been loaned back to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the AHL. Murchison’s move wasn’t a knock on his performance, but more a numbers decision, as he’s waivers exempt and Ristolainen needed a roster spot.
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What makes this return even more significant is that the Flyers are finally close to full health on defense. Cam York recently returned after missing several games with an upper-body injury, and with both York and Ristolainen back, the Flyers are icing what many believe is their strongest defensive group. It’s the kind of situation coaches dream about, because instead of juggling patchwork solutions, real NHL-caliber pairings can now be rolled out consistently.
Head coach Rick Tocchet summed it up best when he said that getting these players back feels like making a trade without giving anything up. Ristolainen brings size, experience, and a heavy shot from the point, while York adds intelligence, mobility, and calm decision-making. Together, their presence changes how the Flyers can defend without the puck and transition out of their zone.
Before his injury, Ristolainen was arguably playing some of the best hockey of his career. Last season, he quietly put together a strong campaign, contributing offensively while keeping his penalty minutes low and logging heavy minutes every night. Over his final stretch of games, his consistency and physical edge were on full display, and that’s exactly what the Flyers are hoping to see again.
As the puck drops in Montreal, this game isn’t just about two points in the standings. It’s about seeing how a healthier Flyers lineup comes together, how Ristolainen looks in his return, and whether this defensive group can finally find its rhythm. For Philadelphia, it’s a fresh start on the blue line, and for fans, it’s a reason to watch closely.
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