The Philadelphia Flyers are considering trading key players Rasmus Ristolainen and Joel Farabee after a challenging 2023-24 season and could become sellers at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. Meanwhile, Denis Gurianov has signed a two-year contract with KHL’s CSKA Moscow, marking his departure from the NHL. Key Takeaways:

• Rasmus Ristolainen and Joel Farabee are possible trade candidates for the Flyers in the 2024-25 NHL season.
• The Flyers’ late-season collapse in 2023-24 impacts their trade strategy.
• Denis Gurianov has signed a two-year deal with KHL’s CSKA Moscow, adding to the Flyers’ changes.

Rasmus Ristolainen: Key Defender or Trade Option?

Rasmus Ristolainen had a mixed 2023-24 season. After a promising 2022-23 campaign, where he recorded 8.8 defensive goals above replacement (DGAR), he struggled with injuries in 2023-24, playing only 31 games. Despite this, he still managed a respectable 2.4 DGAR, his second-highest career total. Ristolainen’s contract, however, is a potential stumbling block for the Flyers. He is signed through the 2026-27 season with a $5.1 million cap hit. The rising salary cap might ease this burden somewhat, but his performance and health will be crucial. If Ristolainen can stay healthy and the Flyers find themselves out of playoff contention, trading him by the NHL Trade Deadline could be beneficial.

Joel Farabee: Trade Asset or Key Player?

Joel Farabee is another interesting trade option. He had a breakout 2023-24 season, scoring 22 goals and 50 points, both career highs. Advanced stats show his impact: He has the fourth-highest goals per 60 minutes among Flyers forwards and the fourth-highest individual expected goals. Farabee’s $5 million cap hit over the next four seasons makes him a valuable asset. If the Flyers perform well, they might consider moving him to make a larger trade for playoff contention. Conversely, if the team struggles, his contract could be moved to facilitate a rebuild. In any case, Farabee is a player to watch in the 2024-25 season.

Flyers’ Roster Evolution with Gurianov’s KHL Move

Denis Gurianov, who was traded from the Nashville Predators at the March 2024 trade deadline, has signed a two-year deal with KHL’s CSKA Moscow. Gurianov’s time with the Flyers was short. He played only four games and scored no points. He has played for multiple teams and struggled to find consistent form. Gurianov’s signing with CSKA Moscow means he is pausing his NHL career. Despite his struggles, he was valuable to the Flyers, helping newcomer Ivan Fedotov adjust from KHL to NHL life. His move is part of a bigger wave of KHL signings, marking a change in his career path. In summary, as the 2024-25 NHL season approaches, the Philadelphia Flyers have important decisions to make. Potential trades involving Rasmus Ristolainen and Joel Farabee, along with Denis Gurianov’s move to the KHL, will shape the team’s future.