Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has been traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Flyers acquire Rasmus Ristolainen from Sabres in exchange for 13th overall pick

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 7/23/21

The Philadelphia Flyers are adding another defenseman this summer.

The club announced Friday that it has acquired Buffalo Sabres blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen in exchange for Robert Hagg, the 13th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft and a second-round pick in the 2023 draft.

TRADE ALERT!

We have acquired defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for our first round pick (13th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, a second round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and defenseman Robert Hagg. Details: https://t.co/UOBqWNQCm6 pic.twitter.com/vCrkLgY0Mt
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) July 23, 2021

Ristolainen is entering the final year of a six-year, $32.4 million contract. He's owed $5.4 million next season.

The 26-year-old has spent his entire career with the Sabres, who drafted him eighth overall in 2013, tallying 245 points (46 goals, 199 assists) in 542 games.

Philadelphia's interest in Ristolainen came after it traded for former Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis last week. Nolan Patrick and Philippe Myers were shipped out in that deal.

The Flyers were one of the worst defensive teams in the NHL last season, allowing a league-high 197 goals (3.52 goals against per game). They also had the second-worst penalty kill in the league at 70.95%.

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