It appears the Flames have finally received the type of offer they want to part ways with pending UFA defenseman Rasmus Andersson. Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic reports that “talks have intensified” in the last several days, and a deal could come by the end of the weekend.
Since Andersson’s name first hit the trade block in earnest last season, the Golden Knights and Stars have been the most frequently linked destinations. Little has changed to suggest those two wouldn’t be the favorites to both acquire and, particularly in Vegas’ case, extend him.
The Senators are also a team with documented interest in him over the last few weeks. They’d also had interest in him dating back to the offseason, but it was reported then that Ottawa is on his six-team no-trade list.
Once viewed as a potential long-term top-pair piece in Calgary, the team’s still relatively early positioning in their rebuild has made it hard to justify giving the 29-year-old a significant financial commitment. For his part, he’s rebounded well after a difficult 2024-25 campaign. Through 47 appearances, he’s churned out 10 goals and 29 points – just two shy of last year’s total already. His two-way game has also recovered from last year’s career-worst -38 rating, gelling well with shutdown partner Kevin Bahl and averaging a career-high 24:12 of ice time per game.
Among non-Dallas or Vegas suitors, the Maple Leafs will be near the top of the list. They made an attempt to acquire him last season and were linked to another puck-moving righty in the Devils’ Dougie Hamilton this week. Andersson, who checks in at a $4.55MM cap hit this year, is the far more financially viable option.
Dallas!! Stars!! Dallas!! Stars!!
Roberson and Lunkvist for Andersson, Coleman and a 2nd