Direct assessment from Ismo Lehkoselta – this Finnish star is changing teams in the NHL: "There are actually takers"

The NHL’s trade summer is expected to be lively, even though this year’s free agent market lacks the biggest star names. According to hockey expert Ismo Lehkonen, at least one Finnish player is strongly on the way to a new address perhaps even before the start of next season.

Lehkonen highlighted Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen in the Kalju Corner podcast, whom he sees as one of the most likely Finnish trade candidates.

– When talking about trades involving Finnish players, one is quite clearly – if not in the summer then during the season – Rasmus Ristolainen will continue his journey from Philadelphia somewhere. And by the way, there are takers for him, Lehkonen estimates.

The 30-year-old Finnish defenseman’s current contract runs until the end of next season. Ristolainen earns 5.1 million dollars per season, and it is precisely his contract situation that makes him an interesting option for several playoff teams.

If a trade does not occur during the summer, many NHL teams may become interested in the experienced defenseman at least as the trade deadline approaches.

Lehkonen also brought up another much-discussed name from the Flyers, albeit in a significantly more critical tone.

– There’s that one Russian guy, that dumpster fire, Matvei Mitshkov. A hefty barrel that no one is taking anywhere. They are in big trouble with him, Lehkonen states.

The young Russian forward was just a couple of years ago one of Philadelphia’s biggest hopes for the future, but there has been plenty of discussion surrounding his future.

In Ristolainen’s case, however, the situation seems significantly brighter. Lehkonen believes the Finnish defenseman will be one of the most interesting trade commodities in the NHL during the upcoming season.