Rasmus Ristolainen Is Hurt Again Because Time Is a Flat Circle in Philadelphia

Death, taxes, and Rasmus Ristolainen landing on the Philadelphia Flyers injury report. Some things in life are just guaranteed.

According to Daily Faceoff, the veteran defenseman is set to miss the next two weeks with an upper-body injury. Just when it looked like he might string together a healthy run, the injury bug has once again taken a bite out of the Philadelphia blue line.

"Daily Faceoff reported: 'Flyers’ Rasmus Ristolainen to miss two weeks with upper-body injury'"

Since arriving from the Buffalo Sabres in a trade that still gives Flyers fans stress dreams, the 6-foot-4 blueliner has collected ailments like they are loyalty points. Between torn triceps, lower-body issues, and now this upper-body setback, he has yet to play a full 82-game slate in a Flyers sweater.

The timing is less than ideal for a team trying to find its footing. Philadelphia is coming off a chaotic 5-4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks, and removing a massive physical presence from the defensive rotation forces immediate lineup shuffling. His absence usually means more ice time for younger guys like Emil Andrae, which is great for long-term development but absolutely terrifying for anyone holding a ticket on the game total going under.

The Flyers host the Columbus Blue Jackets next before heading down I-95 to face the Washington Capitals. They will have to navigate this upcoming stretch without their most expensive hitter, crossing their fingers that a two-week timeline actually means two weeks and not another lost month.