Thomas Drance of The Athletic spoke with Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy about defenseman Rasmus Andersson saying that he believes the 27-year-old could be a Flame for a long time. Andersson is coming off a good season in which he posted nine goals and 30 assists in 78 games, but as Conroy puts it, Calgary is going to need him to have an even better year this season.
Andersson is just two years away from unrestricted free agency and Conroy is confident that at some point in the future, the Flames and Andersson will have conversations about a contract extension. Andersson is one of the few remaining veterans in the Flames lineup as Conroy has spent the past year moving on from many experienced players. It will be interesting to see where the franchise is at over the next 18 months and whether or not Andersson will be interested in staying with a team that might not be ready to win when he is close to free agency.
In other Calgary Flames notes:
- Conroy also spoke about forward Andrei Kuzmenko and his pending free-agent status (as per Drance of The Athletic). Conroy remained non-committal with regards to Kuzmenko’s future, saying that he wanted to see how he fits in with the team and what he looks like on the powerplay this season. Kuzmenko was terrific for Calgary after coming over in a trade from the Vancouver Canucks posting 14 goals and 11 assists in 28 games with the Flames. If he can put up similar numbers this season, he could be looking at a sizable payday wherever he ends up. However, if he struggles like he did in Vancouver last season it does appear that Calgary could be prepared to move on from him.
- Flames general manager Craig Conroy mentioned to Thomas Drance of The Athletic that he will likely target a young center in the future as much of the team’s focus over the past year has been on defense and goaltending. The Flames don’t really have anyone in their farm system that projects as a top center, so it makes sense for Conroy to address the need. The closest prospect that the Flames have to be a top center would likely be Matthew Coronato, however, given his skating and lateral movement, he may project as a winger instead of a center.
Didn’t Conroy also say they’re open to moving veterans like Weegar, Kadri and Andersson? Last I read, David Pagnotta was reporting the Flames were actively shopping the three because they didn’t sign extensions in Calgary to be part of a rebuild. Which is it, Conny?
September 3rd: Pagnotta said they were ‘listening’ on offers. The ‘actively shopping’bit I think is the twitterverse trying to make something happen that isn’t there
In a re-build, I think everybody is available for the right price. Flames still need players around Andersson’s age to show the younger kids. I think Conroy would much rather sign him long term through his peak years to help with the growth, instead of starting all over again with someone new. I think that Conroy hopes that certain players want to stay, but that’s his key. If players want to leave, then he will try and help with that.
Maybe the Andersson sweepstakes will be bandied about like Chychrun was for 3 years………ugh!
Can’t trade Weegar, I just purchased his jersey.