Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

Philadelphia Flyers News

The Sabres have signed Rasmus Ristolainen to a six-year deal worth $32.4 million ($5.4M AAV).

Ristolainen, 21, is coming off of a great sophomore season in which he tallied nine goals and 32 assists (41 points) in 82 games. Ristolainen led all Sabres players in ice-time last year as well, eating up a monstrous 25:16 per night, which ranked 10th in the NHL. Ristolianen’s possession numbers leave the Sabres wanting more, but as a 21-year-old defenseman, he is just scratching the surface of what he can become.

Rasmus Ristolainen
Konecny has made the Flyers’ opening night roster.

Konecny, 19, was the 24th overall selection in 2015 and made the Flyers’ opening night roster following a great training camp. Konecny had 101 points (30G / 71A) in 60 games between the Ottawa 67’s and Sarnia Sting (OHL) last year and will star this year in the Flyers’ top-6 on a line with Sean Couturier and Jakub Voracek.

Travis Konecny
Couturier (upper-body) will miss the next two weeks.

Couturier was crunched into the board by Alex Ovechkin in Game 1 and skated to the bench with his arm hanging. It immediately looked like a shoulder injury that would force him to miss some time and that length of time has been determined to be two weeks. Scott Laughton will replace Couturier in Game 2.

Sean Couturier
Couturier (lower-body) is expected to return to the Flyers lineup on Tuesday.

Couturier has missed the last nine games with a lower-body injury, but he is expected to return Tuesday vs. the Hurricanes. Couturier will likely take on a heavier offensive role on Tuesday with Claude Giroux sidelined. Couturier has picked up 26 points (9G / 15A) in 40 games this season.

Sean Couturier
Couturier (concussion) practiced on Monday; expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday.

Couturier has missed the last four games with a lower-body injury, but is expected to play on Tuesday. Prior to getting injury, Couturier collected six goals and eight assists (14 points) in his previous 14 games. His return will provide a nice offensive boost to the Flyers’ top-6.

Sean Couturier