The 26-year-old defenceman signs a $50 million extension with the Philadelphia Flyers after collecting 116 points (29G/87A) in 335 games while averaging over 20 min TOI (20:18) throughout his career. He starts his sixth season with the Flyers Thursday as they take on the New Jersey Devils at home.
Ristolainen left Wednesday's practice early and did not participate in Thursday's morning skate. Ristolainen is considered day-to-day and will not play in the season opener. Justin Braun will move up to the top-4 and Nick Seeler will suit up with Ristolainen unavailable.
Brink underwent hip surgery in July after being injured in off-season workouts. Brink turned pro following his Junior season, where he had 57 points (14G / 43A) in 41 games with the University of Denver. Brink had four assists in 10 games with the Flyers.
The Flyers finally revealed the nature of Ellis' injury, which sidelined him for almost all of last season. A torn psoas muscle has caused significant hip and core issues for Ellis and could end his career prematurely. Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher told reporters that Ellis is out indefinitely and unlikely to play this season and added that Ellis might never play again.
Shortly after Couturier said that he was good-to-go for training camp after back surgery in February, the Flyers announced that he's week-to-week with an upper-body injury. The Flyers are hopeful that Couturier will be able to return in 6-to-8 weeks, but if it doesn't, surgery would be required.
Couturier underwent season-ended back surgery on February 11th but is set to open training camp with the Flyers this week. 2022 was the worst point-per-game (0.59) season for Couturier since 2017. Couturier will serve as the Flyers' No.1 centre, but without a quality complement of wingers, a return to 60 points may be a little more difficult than it was for him from 2018-to-2020.
Poehling was a first-round pick back in 2017 and has 13 goals and nine assists (22 points) in 85 career NHL games with Montreal. Poehling has spent some time in the NHL in each of the last three years but should be a bottom-6 option for the Penguins in 2022-23.
