The trade rumors surrounding Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson are reaching a peak as the 2025-26 season rolls around. Flames centerman Mikael Backlund said that Andersson seems to be clearly headed for a change of teams during the NHL’s European Media Tour, as captured by Micahel Russo of The Athletic. Backlund went into depth on the divide between Calgary and the top-pair defenseman, sharing that the two sides are at ends on what a new contract should look like. Andersson will enter unrestricted-free agency next summer, and is looking for a boost over his current $4.55MM cap hit, while the Flames are looking for a value deal. Backlund told Russo:
Yeah, [Andersson is] getting traded. It’s obvious… I talked to him, too, and he doesn’t want to be a distraction… It’s too bad that it’s come to this. I don’t think that they’re close to getting an agreement, but you never know. Things could change.
Backlund seems among the most informed when it comes to changes within the Calgary organization. He’s spent all 1,066 games, and 17 seasons, of his NHL career in a Flames jersey. The Flames named Backlund team captain in 2023, after five years of serving as an alternate captain. Andersson has also served as an assistant captain as far back as 2022, cementing a clear connection between the two teammates.
Backlund’s comments ring loud as a result. Andersson has appeared to be the odd-man-left ever since general manager Craig Conroy completed a fire sale of trades in 2023 and 2024. The flurry moved out defenders Chris Tanev, Nikita Zadorov, and Noah Hanifin – leaving Andersson as the only long-term Flame left on the team’s blue-line. He has since been supported by veteran MacKenzie Weegar and emerging pro Kevin Bahl, playing ahead of an otherwise very fluid Calgary defense.
This news spells even more changes for the Flames’ defense. There will be no preparing for losing a player of Andersson’s caliber, even despite rumors swirling through the last few seasons. He has emerged as a true top-pair offensive-defenseman, capable of driving play and sustaining offensive chances for his side, even amid poor defensive play. Andersson tied his career-high of 11 goals this past season, to go along with 31 points on the full year. It was a slight dip from his scoring totals over the last few year. He previously scored 50 points in the 2021-22 season, 49 points in 2022-23, and 39 points in 2023-24.
These comments will once again spark what’s been an aggressive trade market for Andersson. Calgary has fielded interest from across the NHL, with teams like the Columbus Blue Jackets and Carolina Hurricanes previously emerging as front-runners. There has also been rumors of a fit with Pacific Division clubs like the Los Angeles Kings or Vegas Golden Knights, should the Flames be comfortable with moving Andersson to a nearby foe. Vegas will notably be without top defender Alex Pietrangelo next season due to injury, creating a clear hole in their lineup. The Golden Knights would need to find roughly $1MM in cap space to afford Andersson’s cap hit, assuming Calgary would be willing to retain a maximum 50-percent.
Didn’t he reject a trade to the Kings last trade deadline because he refused to sign an extension?
Yeah he did. Also, I don’t think Vegas has the assets to beat out other serious suitors. This could be interesting.
We are more than happy with one of Whitecloud or Korczak stepping into the top 4 role.
That would put alot of pressure on Parekh to be the top PP guy if Andersson is traded. Parekh to talented to go back to Junior.
Having Weager takes the pressure off.
Weeger would be PP1 on the right side. Then Perekh on PP2. No room for Andersson. He must be traded.
Anderson and McCann to Dallas with Calgary and Seattle getting either Robertson OR a haul (picks/prospects) from the other team.
Dallas does not have the cap space so you need to figure in some salary retention.
Why not Andersson and Calgary and Vegas 1sts for Robo and Dallas 2nd
Dallas moves out Robertson’s cap and – as the article mentioned – Calgary retains some of Anderson. The cap would not be an issue.
On the why not… the Stars are going to want to replace some of Robertson’s production. McCann is a 60+ points goal scorer on a bad team who plays the same side.
I think the biggest roadblock is this is all in the West.
Crap deal for Dallas.
×/- -38.
Andersson has a 6-team no trade list but ultimately he has a lot of control over where he ends up. He can tell any team not in his preferred realm of suitors that he won’t sign an extension with them if they trade for him. I think we all know he wants to end up in Vegas. Move him there for Lauzon, Howden and their 2027 1st rounder and move on. Better than getting less than that at the deadline or he walks for nothing.
Vegas fan here I’ll rather not do that.
Calgary laughs and hangs up on that offer. They’re not taking a UFA (at seasons end) bottom pair d-man, a 4th line winger, and a 1st to retain on a top pair (likely a top 25 all around d-man in the league) d-man. Neither Lauzon nor Howden are in the Flames desired age range either being 27+, while they’re seeking players to add in the 23-25 range. The cost of retaining is likely close to a 1st when Vegas is expected to finish near the top of the league so it’s a 26-32 overall pick.
Now if Vegas wants to offer Dorofeyev, a 1st, a prospect, and a salary dump they might listen. But odds are Calgary wants a 1st in the 26 draft to increase their chances of McKenna, and Vegas doesn’t have one of those. Cbj and CAR however do.
You do realize he was near the bottom of the league defensively, also a -38 which was 3rd worst in the league and not in the top 25 offensively. So I have no idea why you’d say hes a Top 25 all around defenseman lol
Oh yes, the all mighty +/- stat. He, in the past 3 years, on one of the worst teams in the NHL is -14 across 3 years as a top pair defenseman, attempting to stop the best on everyteam while your TEAM overall is one of the worst. While being tied for 27th in scoring amongst defensemen in the past 3 years. Ahead of players such as Pietro, Hamilton, Doughty, Skjei, Ekblad, and Faulk. Lidstrom would have been a negative player too with Kevin Bahl as his 1st pairing battery mate.
I believe Calgary owns Vegas’ 2026 pick already. The Hanifin trade was for a 2025 protected pick that Vegas was aloud to use for a trade if wanted (which they did). It turns into Vegas’s 2026 first round pick “unprotected”.
Maybe a Robertson, Danford, McMann deal works? Maybe add a 1st in 28? Leafs could move Rielly also in that deal to give Calgary another puck mover and Calgary adds Coleman with some money retained? A Rielly/Weegar top pairing is pretty good and Calgary gets an Alberta kid plus a couple young players. Leafs also likely need to move Kampf and/or Jarnkrok in other deals to get the money to work.