The Calgary Flames are a fascinating team. They are in the midst of trying to challenge for a playoff spot, but many feel they will still slide back, opening the opportunity to trade a player like defenseman Rasmus Andersson. Unlike last season when the Flames had multiple players up for trade, like Tyler Toffoli, Nikita Zadorov, Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, and Jacob Markstrom, the Flames aren’t expected to be as active on the trade front. This season, they do not have as many unrestricted free agents. The only two players that could be seen as rentals are Andrei Kuzmenko and goaltender Dan Vladar.
While teams around the league will call Flames GM Craig Conroy about those players, Andersson is the player with the most value right now. However, Conroy believes his team is done rebuilding and is more retooling on the fly as he looks to add down the middle. But that does not mean speculation about Andersson’s future is not being raised.
What Could the Flames Get in an Andersson Trade?
Andersson is one-half of the Flames’ shutdown defense pair alongside Kevin Bahl. However, NHLTradeTalk.com has written about the latest comments by Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, stating that Andersson would be open to a move and welcome one. However, the cost to acquire a player like Andersson would be a top prospect, a first-round pick, and an additional asset.
Unlike last year, with all the pending free agents, Andersson still has the rest of this season and next season left on his contract. So, if Calgary were to move him, a team could potentially get him for two playoff runs. This is why the report’s timing is fascinating, as the Flames are still within points of the final wild-card spot in the West.
This is similar to the situation with the Philadelphia Flyers and Sean Walker last season. But Walker was UFA, and once they traded him, the Flyers faded. The issue for the Flames and Conroy is that Andersson is not eligible to sign an extension until July 1 potentially.
Andersson and the Flames Want to Keep Him in Calgary
As Conroy told RG Media earlier in the season, Andersson loves playing for Calgary and is a player they could see in the long term with the team.
“Rasmus is definitely a player I can see long-term for us. And again, some of this decision is up to him. But I do know, talking to him, he really loves Calgary,” Conroy said.
Conroy would love to sign Andersson long-term but understands it is a business. However, Andersson fits in with the Flames age group.
“And again, some of this decision is up to him. When you have a player who likes the market and wants to be there, you try to get that guy signed. And he’s at a great age.”
Even Rasmus Andersson told Eric Francis of Sportsnet that he would love to stay in Calgary but understands his upcoming position. “Of course, I would love to stay here, but I’ve heard from everyone else who has been in my situation that it’s a business.”
Is Andersson Going to Be Traded, or Not?
While he carries a six-team no-trade list, his AAV of $4.55 million is appealing to some teams. But from all indications and reports, this doesn’t sound like a player who welcomes a move. Not to say he isn’t open to one, but Rasmus Andersson is delivering for the Flames in a more significant role this season.
This is a story that will not go away until Andersson is either traded or extended. But if the Flames are truly in a retool, Andersson is a player they may not want to trade away.
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