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Rasmus Andersson

Latest On Rasmus Andersson, Blake Coleman

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Less than a week ago, defenseman Rasmus Andersson publicized his commitment to the Calgary Flames, suggesting that he spurned the trade interest in him last offseason by being unwilling to sign a long-term extension. However, in a recent episode of Frankly Hockey with Frank Seravalli, the insider reported that Andersson is willing to join a team that plays in an area of the United States without a state income tax, and that the Dallas Stars have shown the most interest.

Much has been made of the teams that play in no-income-tax states recently. Since the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, at least one team has been from a no-income-tax state, with the Colorado Avalanche being the only recent champion from a state that has one. If one of those teams were to be the one that ultimately acquires Andersson, it would be another instance of the rich getting richer.

If that’s the only qualifier for Andersson, which is unrealistic, the Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, Seattle Kraken, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Vegas Golden Knights would join the Stars as potential suitors. However, given the competitive states of the Predators and Kraken, only the Panthers, Lightning, Golden Knights, and Stars would make theoretical sense.

All four teams are among the league’s best, though there are legitimate arguments for not acquiring Andersson. The Panthers, for example, are no strangers to big moves, but already have Seth Jones and Aaron Ekblad on the right side of their defensive core.

Still, the other three have a legitimate need for a top-four defenseman, particularly from the right side. Andersson would easily complement Thomas Harley in Dallas, Ryan McDonagh or Victor Hedman in Tampa Bay, or Noah Hanifin or Shea Theodore in Vegas.

The interesting note from Seravalli’s report is that the Stars are not only interested in Andersson but also have kicked the tires on Blake Coleman. Coleman, who’s signed through next season at a $4.9MM cap hit, would be an immediate upgrade to Dallas’ middle-six. He’s scored 10 goals through 36 games this season and is only a few years removed from helping the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, scoring eight goals and 24 points in 48 games.

Unfortunately, if the Stars were to acquire Coleman and sign Andersson to a longer-term extension after acquiring him, it would make it nearly impossible for the team to retain Jason Robertson, who’s a pending restricted free agent. Dallas could potentially make a move or two to make the money work, but Robertson’s value has risen dramatically this season, scoring 23 goals and 44 points in 37 games.

Ultimately, only time will tell if Andersson and Coleman are eventually moved. Despite a recent string of hot play, the Flames remain five points back of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, and don’t appear poised to make a significant postseason run, even if they do qualify.

Latest On Rasmus Andersson

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Dec. 17th: In a recent interview with Andrew Knoll of RG Media, Andersson admitted that it was he himself who spurned a lot of the interest in him dating back to last season. Knoll quoted Andersson saying, “There were some reports saying I only gave one choice, and that’s just not true. We spoke many times during the summer and obviously there was some interest from other teams. But I just wasn’t ready to sign, and I didn’t really want to sign a deal [at all] after how last year ended. That was the kicking point for the other teams, that they needed an extension, and I just wasn’t willing to go there.”

Additionally, in typical hockey fashion, Andersson expressed his desire to remain with the Flames instead of going elsewhere, saying, “I’m not really looking that deep yet. I’m trying to focus on the Flames. I hope I remain here this season, and then we’ll see what happens in the future. I don’t know what’s gonna happen in the future. So, I try to take it day by day and just enjoy every day as it comes. Every game in this league is a grind. You’ve gotta grind it out more nights than you’d think. And I love playing for the Flames. I always have, and I always will.”

Dec. 16th: The NHL trade market was re-ignited last week with the blockbuster trade of Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild, but it wasn’t the only deal: the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins swapped starting goalies as well. Now, it appears more significant trades could be coming. Insider Pierre LeBrun reported on TSN’s Insider Trading segment that in the aftermath of last week’s Hughes deal, “the Calgary Flames suddenly got more calls on Rasmus Andersson.”

That Andersson’s name is popping up in trade rumors is not a new development. Andersson was front-and-center in transaction-related reporting throughout the summer, and LeBrun even noted on TSN that the defenseman was nearly traded at last year’s deadline. Capable, proven top-four defensemen are a rare commodity in the NHL, and Andersson figures to be one of the few available for trade at this moment. As a result, interest in acquiring him is robust.

As far as which teams might be interested in trading for the Flames rearguard, LeBrun highlighted one key player in the trade talks: the Toronto Maple Leafs, whose hockey operations decision-making is led by former Flames GM Brad Treliving.

Andersson was drafted No. 53 overall by the Flames during Treliving’s tenure as general manager. His emergence into a two-way NHL force has made him one of the best draft picks from Treliving’s time as GM of the Flames.

Treliving is far from the first general manager to covet a former player after switching jobs, but it appears interest between Toronto and Andersson is mutual. LeBrun reported on TSN that “the Leafs would be one of the teams that perhaps Andersson would consider extending with” in the event that he is traded.

Should Andersson be dealt in a sign-and-trade transaction, similar to the way Noah Hanifin was traded from Calgary to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Flames figure to benefit from a stronger return package than if he was dealt as a rental. As a result, the Flames could have an increased level of motivation to deal Andersson to Toronto compared to another destination where he might not be as interested in re-signing.

Another factor in these reported trade talks between the two teams is the relationship between Treliving and current Flames GM Craig Conroy. Treliving was hired as Flames GM in April 2014, and shortly afterward, in June 2014, Conroy was promoted to assistant GM. Conroy was a key lieutenant for Treliving before succeeding him as Flames GM, and its possible their prior working relationship could make for an easier path to reaching an agreement on a trade for Andersson.

Taking a look at Toronto’s defensive depth chart, it’s no great mystery why they’d be interested in adding Andersson, even if there was no previous connection between their GM and the player. Andersson is the top right-handed defenseman currently available for trade, and the right side of Toronto’s defense has been ravaged by injuries. Chris Tanev remains out and it was reported on Dec. 2 that Brandon Carlo would miss “extended time.” Carlo hasn’t played since Nov. 13.

Toronto lined up tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks with left-handed Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the right side next to Morgan Rielly, journeyman Troy Stecher on the second pairing, and left-handed Henry Thrun on the right side of their third pairing. While Stecher has played well in Toronto, that’s hardly an ideal situation for a team that hopes to contend for a Stanley Cup to be in.

It’s fair to question whether Toronto would be best suited surrendering its top trade assets for a rental player when the club sits one point off of last place in the Eastern Conference. But while Toronto’s play hasn’t merited it to this point in 2025-26, the organization is likely still operating with the goal of winning a Stanley Cup on an immediate basis, and trading for Andersson would support that goal. Whether an Andersson trade would be enough to morph this year’s Maple Leafs into a true contender, though, is the key question.

Photos courtesy of Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Flames Focused On Balancing Short-And-Long-Term In Trade Market

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The Calgary Flames have reached an impasse, stuck between whether to push for contention or rebuilding after a few up-and-down seasons. That gap widened on Friday, when team president Don Maloney said that the team shouldn’t blow up to try and build up the future in an interview with Sportsnet’s Eric Francis. Maloney added that general manager Craig Conroy has no restrictions on deals he thinks can impact the long-term, but reminded fans that Calgary must push through the short-term as well, pushing a need to stay competitive.

Calgary is shopping high-value veterans like Nazem Kadri and Rasmus Andersson just a few years after trading away a heap, including Noah Hanifin and Jacob Markstrom. They are plowing towards a new era, on the back of multiple young pros, but the kids haven’t quite proven themselves yet. Kadri and Andersson have helped supplement Calgary’s rookies while they find their spots in the lineup.

At the same time, the pair of vets could fetch serious returns in a buyer’s market. Kadri has 14 points in 22 games this season, and scored 35 goals and 67 points in 82 games last year. He remains a clear top-line scorer, who could boom on a stronger offense. The same can be said for scoring-defender Andersson, who has 12 points in 22 games this year and scored 11 goals and 31 points last year.

Landing more young firepower – like Winnipeg’s Brad Lambert or Anaheim’s Pavel Mintyukov – could be the piece that ramps up Calgary’s rebuild. But they’ll have to make sure they’re not jeporadizing their next few seasons to do it. It will be a balancing act for novice GM Conroy, and one that should underscore the future of Flames hockey.

Maple Leafs Attempted To Acquire Rasmus Andersson, Brayden Schenn Last Season

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The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to already have a pulse on the asking price for two of the trade market’s top names. General manager Brad Treliving made a push to acquire Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, and St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn, through points of the 2024-25 season per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast.
Toronto couldn’t put together a deal that enticed Calgary enough to move Andersson, while the asking price for Schenn ended up richer than Toronto’s other moves. Friedman added that he didn’t believe Schenn, who has a modified-no-trade clause, would accept a trade to Toronto unless they also acquired brother Luke Schenn.
Instead of the top names, the Maple Leafs landed defender Brandon Carlo and center Scott Laughton at the Trade Deadline. The moves cost the Maple Leafs two first-round picks and two top prospects, with Fraser Minten headed to the Boston Bruins and Nikita Grebenkin headed to the Philadelphia Flyers.
The thought of paying even more for a pair of veterans was surely a reasonable deterrent, but it cost the Leafs a good bit of offensive oomph. Schenn finished last season with 50 points, marking the third season in the last four years that he’s crossed the half-century mark. He also led the Blues with a career-high 194 hits, and posted a stout 52.3 faceoff percentage. His scoring has taken a massive hit on a struggling Blues squad this season – but Schenn is still on pace for 25 points and 173 hits, serviceable numbers from a 34-year-old.
Instead, Toronto landed Laughton, who has four points, 56 hits, and a 55.4 faceoff percentage in 22 games with the Maple Leafs. Health has proved a limitation for the 31-year-old. He is currently on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, and carries a day-to-day designation. He’ll bring responsible two-way play back to the team’s bottom-six when he returns – though lacks the offense to help turn the tides. Laughton’s career-high came in 2022-23, when he scored 43 points in 78 games with Philadelphia.
While Schenn and Laughton – former teammates – bring similar gritty styles, the difference between Andersson and Carlo is staggering. Andersson has been a linchpin in the Flames’ offense, routinely stepping up as the main driver of play from the blue-line. He scored 11 goals, tying a career-high, and 31 points in 81 games last season. Those marks were backed by a team-leading 196 blocked shots, and 36 hits. He continues to do much of the same this year, with seven points and 33 blocks in 20 games so far.
That’s far from the staunch, defensive style that Carlo brings to the table. The 29-year-old has five points, all assists, and 72 blocked shots across 38 games with Toronto. He’s been a welcome addition to head coach Craig Berube’s hard-nosed, old-school style – and even intermittent earned top-pair minutes. But in a struggling Leafs offense, Carlo’s setback style has failed to create any sparks from the blue-line.
Toronto appeared to find a balance between value and costs with their deadline acquisitions – but it’s not clear how that will affect their presence in this year’s trade market. Both Andersson and Schenn remain available, and Toronto remains in need. But they could struggle to offer much more than they did last year, especially without a first-round pick until 2028.
With that standing in mind, Friedman emphasized that Toronto should remain patient, and wait for a true difference-maker to hit the market. The Trade Deadline is a little under four months away and the list of high-profile names on the block should only grow as teams sense their fates.

Rasmus Andersson, Calgary Flames Could Revisit Extension Talks

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Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson was one of the most talked-about players this past summer due to the persistent trade rumors surrounding him. Andersson was nearly dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights before the trade fell through, and in August Andersson’s teammates openly acknowledged that he was a near-certainty to be traded.

But today, Pierre LeBrun reported on TSN’s Insider Trading that it is not a guarantee that the Flames trade Andersson, rather than sign the pending UFA to a contract extension.

According to LeBrun, neither the Flames nor Andersson “want to totally close the door on maybe having extension talks again at some point this year.” LeBrun’s reporting indicates that it’s the Flames’ preference to see how the early part of their 2025-26 season unfolds before revisiting contract talks. For Andersson’s part, LeBrun reported that the player might be swayed to re-sign in Calgary “if there was an eight-year offer on the table,” but also added that he does not believe the Flames are “ready to go there” at this stage.

LeBrun concluded by saying that a trade remains the most likely outcome regardless of this new development.

This news changes the tone surrounding Andersson in a notable way, as it had previously appeared as though he was as close to a lock to be traded as one can get in the NHL.

But with a high-stakes unrestricted free agency looming, one that represents what is likely to be Andersson’s best chance at a long-term, extremely lucrative contract, it appears Andersson and his camp (led by 4Sports Hockey’s Claude Lemieux) don’t want to completely close the door on a potential bidder for Andersson’s services.

The soon-to-be-29-year-old Swedish blueliner has a very real chance at being the top defenseman available in next summer’s UFA market. Andersson is a true top-pairing right-handed defenseman, something that would make him a rare, highly sought-after player on a free agent market. Andersson averaged 24 minutes of ice time per night in 2024-25, including the most penalty-kill ice time of any Flames player.

Andersson is a highly competitive blueliner who plays with an edge, and he matches his ability to weather difficult defensive assignments with a solid level of offensive ability. He scored a career-high 50 points in 2021-22 and while his scoring numbers have steadily climbed down since that season (49 points in 2022-23, 39 in 2023-24, and 31 in 2024-25) he remains an all-around force and one of head coach Ryan Huska’s most trusted contributors.

The Flames’ alternate captain is the kind of player nearly every NHL team would like to add to its lineup, though his future free agent case is not without its risks. Andersson is set to play out the vast majority of his next contract in his 30s, and while he’s still a capable offensive contributor, his steady decline in production in recent years could give some teams pause. It could be fair to question whether the team that signs Andersson, due to the multiple seasons of 40-plus points on his resume, will ultimately end up paying for a level of production Andersson is no longer able to provide.

Accordingly, despite major factors set to act in Andersson’s favor next summer (such as the rarity of top-pairing right-handed defensemen on the open market) it would be understandable for Andersson to give serious thought to signing an eight-year extension in Calgary during the season should the club offer one.

At this stage, though, such speculation remains premature. As LeBrun reported, even with the revival of the slight prospect that Andersson re-signs in Calgary, the overwhelmingly likely scenario is that he is eventually traded. But until that happens, it appears Flames fans will be able to hold onto hope that their team’s longest-tenured defenseman may yet stay in Calgary.

Photos courtesy of Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Evening Notes: Canadiens Additions, Fedotov, Andersson

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After three straight last-place Atlantic Division finishes and then a trip to the playoffs in 2024-25, it appears the Montreal Canadiens’ rebuild may be over. Or, the rebuild has at least reached a critical new stage, one focused more on acquiring NHL-ready talent that fit the club’s core competitive window. The team made two additions that fit that mold this summer, bringing in star defenseman Noah Dobson and promising second-year forward Zachary Bolduc, and it appears the team may not be done. RG Media’s Marco D’Amico reported today that it was “abundantly clear” in the media availabilities of Canadiens hockey operations leaders Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes that the club is intent on adding even more talent to reinforce its roster during the 2025-26 campaign.

D’Amico added that the Canadiens “want to add” and expect the trade market “to pick up mid-season” as teams have more information on whether they’ll be in a position to qualify for the postseason. The Canadiens’ most significant immediate roster need is likely at the center position, specifically in the number-two center role behind captain Nick Suzuki. It was reported today that 2018 third-overall pick Kirby Dach is on track to return for the start of the regular season, but injuries have cost him significant time in each of his three seasons in Montreal, so it is unclear whether he’ll be able to adequately fill the second-line-center role. If he struggles, its possible the Canadiens look to the trade market to add immediate reinforcements to that position, and D’Amico’s reporting today suggests they will.

Some other notes from across the NHL:

  • Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell spoke to the media today in advance of the club’s upcoming training camp, and provided some new details the franchise’s thinking related to their recent acquisition of netminder Ivan Fedotov from the Philadelphia Flyers. Per team reporter Jeff Svoboda, Waddell said “I don’t have nightmares too often, but every nightmare I had this summer was about goaltending (depth). I felt like we needed to address it.” It’s not unreasonable that Waddell would be concerned about the club’s goaltending depth – before the trade, the top goalie they had behind Elvis Merzlikins and Jet Greaves was Zachary Sawchenko, who has just seven career NHL games to his name and none since 2021-22. By adding Fedotov, the Blue Jackets get a player who was once one of the top goalies in the KHL, although he has admittedly struggled thusfar in his career in North America.
  • Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson was one of the most frequently talked-about players in transaction rumors over the course of this past summer, though the defenseman did not ultimately get traded. Today, Andersson addressed the news from the summer, specifically calling reports that he was only willing to sign a long-term deal with the Vegas Golden Knights “fake information.” He added that he would “never handcuff” general manager Craig Conroy in such a fashion. Daniel Austin of The Calgary Sun wrote that “the most likely outcome” of Andersson’s situation (he is a pending UFA) is that the Flames trade the defenseman before the trade deadline, and doing so would likely pave the way for even more ice time for star prospect Zayne Parekh. Parekh is a dynamic offensive defenseman who is set to enter his first NHL campaign, assuming he can earn a job on the club’s season-opening roster.

Flames Notes: Wolf, Andersson, Parekh

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The Flames announced a seven-year, $52.5MM extension for premier young netminder Dustin Wolf this morning ahead of the final season of his entry-level contract. The deal, which carries a cap hit of $7.5MM, will make him among the league’s 10 highest-paid goalies when it takes effect in 2026-27.

Now, PuckPedia has the full breakdown of the contract. The deal will be paid out almost entirely in base salary, with only one up-front $2MM signing bonus in the first year. That will be paired with a $6MM base salary to give him $8MM in total compensation out of the gate. From 2027-28 through 2031-32, he’ll earn an even $7.5MM per year. The difference between his first-year compensation and the $7.5MM average annual value will be made up in the contract’s final year in 2032-33, when he’ll take a small pay cut to $7MM.

Wolf’s deal also includes relatively limited trade protection. He’s not eligible for it until 2028-29, when he’d otherwise be eligible for unrestricted free agency. From that point forward, he’ll have a 10-team no-trade list, but no full movement protection is included in the deal.

There’s more out of Calgary today:

  • While all parties have acknowledged pending UFA Rasmus Andersson will be traded at some point this season, the defender rebuked claims over the offseason that he was only willing to extend with one team – believed to be the Golden Knights. That would obviously have handcuffed Calgary from moving him elsewhere or even landing market value from Vegas, something Andersson said he’d never do, according to Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960.
  • Top defense prospect Zayne Parekh isn’t fully recovered from the lower-body injury he sustained earlier this summer, general manager Craig Conroy told Steinberg. “The hope is that he’ll be ready for training camp,” Conroy said, indicating he likely won’t participate in any rookie camp activities in the days leading up to full camp beginning at the end of next week. He did skate today, Conroy confirmed, a welcome sign ahead of a pivotal camp that could lead to him carving out a roster spot. The 2024 No. 9 overall pick scored in his NHL debut last year and has led the OHL in scoring among defensemen in back-to-back years, although he’s still ineligible for a full-time assignment to AHL Calgary.

Flames Seem Set To Trade Rasmus Andersson, Per Teammate

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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.

No Recent Talks Between Flames And Rasmus Andersson

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The future of defenseman Rasmus Andersson with the Flames has been a subject of much debate this offseason.  While Calgary isn’t looking to rebuild and thus doesn’t necessarily want to move him, Andersson doesn’t appear to be ready to sign a long-term extension with them either, fueling trade speculation.

Earlier this summer, TSN’s Darren Dreger suggested that Los Angeles had a deal in place to acquire Andersson but that the blueliner indicated that he didn’t want to play there.  Speaking with Expressen’s David Carlsson and Mikael Ljungberg, the 28-year-old acknowledged he had been approached about a move somewhere but declined to confirm that it was indeed the Kings.  But he wasn’t comfortable about moving his family and signing a long-term deal right away, scuttling those talks.  Andersson also continues to vehemently deny earlier reports that the only team he’d sign with right away is Vegas.

With trade talks seemingly at a stalemate for now, it would be logical to think that the two sides might resume contract discussions.  However, Andersson noted that since the draft-day trade fell apart, there has been zero communication with the team.

Andersson has been an all-situations player for the last several years in Calgary while reaching at least 30 points in each of the last four campaigns.  That has him in line to land a sizable raise on his current $4.55MM AAV, even though he’s coming off a quieter year offensively where he has 10 goals and 21 assists in 81 games while averaging 23:59 per night of playing time.  Even with the reduced point total, AFP Analytics pegged an Andersson extension to cost around $8.4MM per season on a seven-year deal.

While it’s believed there were at least initial discussions about a new deal this offseason, the belief is that there’s still a big gap to bridge and clearly, neither side appears to be in a rush to try to reduce the difference.  GM Craig Conroy has stated multiple times that he’s comfortable with Andersson coming to camp without an extension in place and based on the lack of contact between the two sides, that appears to be the likeliest outcome as things stand.

Latest On Rasmus Andersson

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Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson is eligible to sign a contract extension as of today but talks between him and the team showed that there is still a considerable bridge to gap.  While GM Craig Conroy has said they’re comfortable with having the blueliner in training camp without a new deal in place, the gap in discussions has certainly fueled trade speculation.

To that end, TSN’s Darren Dreger recently reported on Edmonton Sports Talk (video link) that the Kings were believed to have a trade in place to acquire the 28-year-old but Andersson made it known that he doesn’t want to play for them.  He only has a six-team no-trade list but presumably, Los Angeles would have found out about Andersson’s lack of desire to play there when hypothetically discussing what an extension would look like.

At the moment, it appears that Andersson has his eyes set on one trade destination in particular.  Pierre LeBrun reports in his latest column for The Athletic (subscription link) that the team on the top of Andersson’s wish list is the Golden Knights.  He adds that there have been discussions between the two teams over the past week but Calgary hasn’t been excited about the offers on the table just yet.

There’s a logical fit for Andersson in Vegas, with Alex Pietrangelo’s playing days appearing to be over now.  Pietrangelo’s absence would open up a significant hole on the right side of their back end, one that Andersson would be capable of filling.

The 28-year-old has been an all-situations player for several years in Calgary and has reached at least 30 points in four straight years.  Andersson is coming off a quieter year but he still managed 10 goals and 21 assists in 81 games for Calgary last season while logging 23:59 per night of playing time.  While he wouldn’t be quite as impactful as a healthy Pietrangelo, he would certainly be a quality replacement.

Of course, fitting him onto the books for the upcoming season is a whole other challenge.  Vegas used the LTIR relief from Pietrangelo to acquire Mitch Marner from Toronto.  Even with the LTIR savings, that will put them over the cap by the time they fill the remaining open roster spots, meaning that some salary would need to be cleared to open up room for Andersson and his $4.55MM cap charge for next season.

Meanwhile, should Andersson get moved to his preferred team, it stands to reason that an extension would need to be worked out.  Given the contracts that have been handed out to some blueliners in recent days, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he could come close to doubling his current price tag on a long-term contract.

With Vegas taking on Marner at $12MM per season and Jack Eichel expected to receive an extension at some point as well, that’s a lot of money to be adding to their future books so if the Golden Knights are able to land Andersson, they’re going to have to clear up some significant cap room – both present and future – to do so.

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