Flyers place a defenseman on IR, more roster maneuvering ahead

Rasmus Ristolainen, who missed the second straight game with his upper body injury on Tuesday night, was placed on injured reserve.

The 27-year-old defenseman has been considered a day-to-day.

"He's feeling great, but he's definitely not where we need him to be a player," Flyers interim head coach Mike Yeo said on Monday. "Look at the way you play, it feels great to go out there and play at that level and with that physicality."

The Flyers only have six healthy Blueliners on their roster, so the decision to keep Ristolainen on the IR opens up a roster spot for a potential call-up from AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley.

Cam York, one of the club's top prospects, has been battling an injury that does not appear to be overly serious. If the 21-year-old is healthy, he's an obvious call-up for flyers.

After visiting the Penguins on Tuesday, the Flyers open an eight-game homestand on Thursday when they host the Capitals (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP). The club then has three days before their next game.

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Ristolainen is rehabbing skating and participated in a portion of Monday's practice.

The Flyers were traded for Finnish defensemen during the summer. He is in the final year of a six-year contract worth $32.4 million.

"The goal was to keep him when we traded for him," Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher said on January 26. And obviously he is a pending UFA, he will control a lot of that discussion and we will work with his representation. What makes sense."


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