Leafs among two Canadian teams identified as frontrunners for hulking defenseman

Among teams that will always be in the mix for the top targets are the Toronto Maple Leafs and the newly-minted juggernauts in Vancouver. Defense is always a major priority heading into the playoffs and both clubs have held talks for the same two defensemen in Calgary's Chris Tanev and now reportedly Rasmus Ristolainen from the Philadelphia Flyers.

Ristolainen has gained a lot of interest and traction over the last calendar year after John Tortorella seemingly revived the former first round pick's career. He had slumped his way out of Buffalo, struggled mightily in his first season with the Flyers, but has enjoyed a rather remarkable turnaround - all things considered.

The biggest caveat in trading for Ristolainen isn't so much his $5.1 million dollar cap hit - which is still very high - it's the 3 years that remain on his contract. While the Flyers are in their own hunt for a playoff spot, they have not shied away from listening to offers for Sean Walker, Scott Laughton, Morgan Frost, and Ristolainen. They can all be had for the right price but with how cap-strapped the Leafs are, it seems unlikely a move can be done without salary retention.

The Flyers already have one retention spot in use for Kevin Hayes and although they are reportedly willing to retain on Ristolainen, the price of acquisition will subsequently sky-rocket.

Ristolainen possesses the style of play that Brad Treliving and his counterparts are looking for but it would be a high risk move with how many years are still left on his contract. He would definitely help the Maple Leafs right now but the price of acquisition might be too high for their liking.

Anthony Di Marco of The Fourth Period has reported that Ristolainen's value is generally believed to be around $3.5 million, meaning if the Flyers retained anywhere between $1.5M-$1.6M for the next three years, would that be a move worth making? A first round pick would most assuredly have to be sent Philadelphia's way but with the cap increasing exponentially, the contract won't look as bad.

Nevertheless things continue to intensify and if Treliving can't acquire Tanev or Walker in time, he could keep his eyes set on the Flyers for Ristolainen with the market thinning out really quickly.