Flames Trading Andersson was First Domino to Fall In Complete Rebuild

With the Calgary Flames trading Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights yesterday, it got me thinking that this deal could be the start of a massive clearance in Calgary.

While the Andersson trade secured much-needed draft capital and defenseman Zach Whitecloud, General Manager Craig Conroy appears far from finished. With the Flames sitting well outside the playoff picture as the Olympic break approaches, the organization’s focus has shifted fully toward shopping its veteran core, specifically Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman.

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Flames Looking to Clean House

Nazem Kadri

Kadri has become one of the most talked-about names in trade rumors. Despite being 35, he leads the Flames in scoring and remains a highly competitive, top-end centre that playoff-bound teams value.

Insiders like TSN’s Darren Dreger have already linked him to the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars, where his Stanley Cup pedigree would be an immediate fit for a deep postseason run. The main challenge remains his $7 million cap hit through 2029, along with a 13-team no-trade list. However, following the Andersson move, there is a growing sense that Conroy would be willing to retain salary if it helps facilitate a deal that brings back elite prospects.

Blake Coleman

Equally enticing to contenders is Coleman. While the Flames value his leadership, the 34-year-old winger may be at the peak of his trade value. With a more manageable $4.9 million cap hit and another year of term, Coleman is the ultimate plug-and-play playoff piece. Teams like the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins have reportedly inquired about his availability. Unlike a pure rental, Coleman would offer a team two potential playoff runs, which could push the asking price into the territory of a first-round pick or a blue-chip prospect.

The strategy here feels clear. The Andersson trade does not appear to be a one-off move, but rather the first domino to fall in a larger teardown. By shopping Kadri, Coleman, and even depth pieces like Ryan Lomberg, the Flames are finally choosing a lane. They are clearing the veteran logjam to open up ice time for the next generation, including Connor Zary and Zayne Parekh. For Flames fans, the Andersson trade marked the end of an era, but potential deals involving Kadri and Coleman may signal the true beginning of the rebuild.

Next: Predicting Landing Spots For NHL’s Top Stars at the 2026 Trade Deadline Pt. 1