Ristolainen, who has been linked with a trade, has been playing some of his best hockey of his Flyers career lately.

Not Scott Laughton. The forward was one of just two skaters to pull on his practice jersey and lace up his skates. Why? Youngster Bobby Brink wanted to practice tipping pucks, which required, of course,

Obviously, the last couple of years, starting from training camp, I’ve obviously been hurt,” Ristolainen admitted. For a player like Ristolainen—whose game is built on physicality, endurance, and a punishing style of play—health is everything.

The clock is ticking down to Friday's trade deadline. Will Danny Brière and the Flyers get an offer to act on before then?

While the Flyers continue to try to earn every point possible in a desperate race against the odds to make the playoffs, they along with every other team have to deal with one of late-winter’s most significant distractions.