The Ottawa Senators continue to battle for a playoff spot despite missing out on talented Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen at the NHL trade deadline.
The team from Canada’s capital was not the only one vying for Ristolainen’s services, as several clubs allegedly inquired about the veteran blueliner and his $25.5 million contract.
Senators’ Missed Rasmus Ristolainen Trade Looms Large as Blue Line Injuries Mount
The Senators recently announced that assistant captain Thomas Chabot would join Jake Sanderson, Nick Jensen, and Dennis Gilbert among Ottawa’s injured defensemen. Amid one of the tightest playoff races in recent history, the Senators’ blue line is ailing badly. This is where a trade deadline acquisition of someone like Ristolainen may have come in handy. However, adding the 6-foot-4 defenseman is easier said than done.
Nearly three weeks past the deadline, the dust is settling, and plenty of information has come to light. One of the more intriguing details came from Pierre LeBrun, as detailed in an X post from NHL Rumour Report.
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While Ottawa campaigned for the 31-year-old, the team was not alone. LeBrun describes “a long list of teams” that were interested in the physical Finn.
Pierre LeBrun: Hindsight is 20/20, you look back at the trade deadline, the Senators according to sources were among a long list of teams that checked in with Philadelphia on Rasmus Ristolainen – Early Trading (3/24)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) March 25, 2026
“Hindsight is 20/20, you look back at the trade deadline, the Senators according to sources were among a long list of teams that checked in with Philadelphia on Rasmus Ristolainen,” said LeBrun. Regarding the Senators’ injured blue line, former NHL defenseman Ryan Whitney described how impressive their recent performances have been.
“This is incredible what the Ottawa Senators are doing,” said Whitney. “Back to back without their two best dmen they beat Detroit in their biggest game of the year. This team is really good when they get goaltending and Ullmark robbed Larkin twice in the last minute. I think they are gonna get in.”
As it stands, Ottawa (85 points) holds the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card position. There is little room for error, as the New York Islanders (85 points) refuse to go away. Additionally, the Detroit Red Wings are nipping at their heels with 84 points.
Although they are missing several of their best defenders, the Senators are one of the hottest teams as of late, boasting an 8-2-0 record in their last 10 games. In those 10 games, Artem Zub and Tyler Kleven have come up big. Together, the two total a +5 and have combined for seven points.
Furthermore, Ottawa’s goaltending is heating up at the right time. Linus Ullmark has allowed two or fewer goals in two of his previous three starts. Ullmark’s backup, James Reimer, has been equally impressive, conceding only three total goals in his previous three starts.
Shifting back to Ristolainen, he and the Flyers continue to push for a playoff berth themselves. Ristolainen has eight points on the season and has logged more time on ice than his season average of 20:58 in each of his last three games.
If the Senators narrowly miss the postseason, will the organization look back remorsefully on the missed attempt to acquire Ristolainen?
