Flyers Provide Injury Update On Rasmus Ristolainen

The Philadelphia Flyers announced Thursday that defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen underwent successful surgery to repair a ruptured right triceps tendon.

The procedure was performed on March 26 in Los Angeles, California by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, whose other notable patients include the likes of Tom Brady, Clayton Kershaw, Joe Burrow, and Kobe Bryant.

Ristolainen, 30, had been sidelined since March with what the club initially labeled an upper-body injury. He also dealt with injury problems that kept him out for a good portion of the 2023-24 season.

The Flyers shared that Ristolainen is expected to miss approximately six months as he recovers, which means he will not be available for the start of 2025 training camp. However, the organization added that he is expected to make a full recovery.

For a player whose physical presence and blue-line bite have long defined his game, the road back won’t be easy—but it’s one Ristolainen is no stranger to. Since arriving in Philadelphia, the Finnish defenseman has often shouldered the tough minutes and embraced the gritty, heavy style that has endeared him to teammates and fans alike. 

While the recovery timeline sets a patient course, the expectation is that Ristolainen will rejoin the Flyers group during the 2025-26 season.