Patrick Maroon, the Chicago Blackhawks forward, announced his retirement from the NHL after the current season, marking the end to a notable 14-year career. The 36-year-old, who joined the Blackhawks this season as a free agent, expressed the emotional difficulty of leaving behind what he has known and loved. In a heartfelt interview, he mentioned the importance of starting a new chapter with his family.

Maroon's journey includes a remarkable achievement of winning three consecutive Stanley Cups from 2019 to 2021 with the St. Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning. He has played for several teams throughout his career, accumulating a total of 320 points across 839 regular season games. Known for his strong presence both on and off the ice, he has garnered respect for his hockey IQ and dedication to teamwork, as noted by former coach Jim Montgomery.

Injury updates shake the league as several star players are sidelined. Colton Dach of the Chicago Blackhawks is day-to-day with a hyperextended elbow, while the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Daniil Tarasov is out with illness. Dallas Stars’ Thomas Harley is taking a maintenance day. Major concerns surround the Edmonton Oilers as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl could be out for up to a week with lower-body injuries, leaving their playoff preparation in jeopardy.

In other news, New Jersey Devils forwards Ondrej Palat and Curtis Lazar have also faced injury setbacks, prompting the recall of Nolan Foote. The New York Islanders lack updates on Mathew Barzal and Semyon Varlamov, while Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen’s status is in limbo as he’s now week-to-week. The St. Louis Blues keep an eye on Oskar Sundqvist, who was given a maintenance day.

Rasmus Ristolainen's upper-body injury has worsened, moving from day-to-day to week-to-week, forcing the Philadelphia Flyers to adjust their lineup. The defenseman last played on March 11 against the Ottawa Senators, and this marks his second injury absence this season. Coach John Tortorella noted the impact of Ristolainen's size and skill pairing with Egor Zamula, which has been statistically effective. Emil Andrae has stepped up in Ristolainen's absence, but he brings a different style of play.

Ristolainen has contributed 19 points this season, but his frequent injuries have hindered his consistency on the ice. The Flyers, looking to solidify their defense, may need to reassess their strategy without Ristolainen’s physical presence, especially as Tortorella acknowledges the challenge of finding a robust, right-handed defenseman during trade talks.

The Philadelphia Flyers are reportedly holding firm on their asking price for defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, seeking a first-round pick, a prospect, and a player in return. With limited interest in Ristolainen, who is expected to remain with the team post-trade deadline, it seems the Flyers' strategy may be to retain him for the time being. Meanwhile, Scott Laughton, a versatile forward with one year remaining on his contract, is also in high demand. The Flyers could command a similar price for Laughton, who brings value as a 'glue guy' on the roster.

Additionally, the Flyers are fielding calls about Egor Zamula and Ryan Poehling, indicating a broader strategy of evaluating their roster. With teams turning their eyes toward the Flyers' assets, the next few days will be crucial as trade discussions heat up.

The Philadelphia Flyers are open for business under GM Daniel Briere, exploring trades involving Scott Laughton and Rasmus Ristolainen, both of whom are generating interest from other teams. With the trade market tightening, Briere is cautious, knowing that these players are difficult to replace. Laughton has one year left on his deal at $3 million, while Ristolainen's contract runs for two more years at an AAV of $5.1 million. The Flyers aim to command a high price for both, in order to safeguard their team’s future.

Reports suggest that the asking price for Ristolainen includes a first-round pick, a prospect, and a player, with a decent chance he remains in Philadelphia due to his irreplaceable role. Laughton is also attracting attention, particularly from teams that missed out on other trade targets. Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins are looking to retool their roster, mentioning players potentially moving to keep them competitive for future seasons.