Trade trees are one of those fascinating parts of hockey that remind us how one move can ripple through an organization for years - even decades. What starts as a single transaction can turn into a web of picks, prospects, and players that shape a franchise’s identity.
The Calgary Flames have a few notable examples of this, but one that’s quietly grown into something substantial is the Sven Baertschi trade tree. And with the recent deal involving Rasmus Andersson, that tree just sprouted a few new branches.
Let’s walk through it - because this one’s worth a closer look.
The Root: Drafting Sven Baertschi
It all started at the 2011 NHL Draft. Calgary held the 13th overall pick and used it to select winger Sven Baertschi, a skilled forward with plenty of promise.
Baertschi had flashes of potential in the Flames system, but he never quite found his footing in Calgary. He bounced between the NHL and AHL, and by 2015, the Flames decided it was time to move on.
Trade 1: Baertschi to Vancouver
The Deal:
Calgary trades Sven Baertschi to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2015 second-round pick.
At the 2015 trade deadline, Vancouver took a swing on Baertschi, hoping a change of scenery would unlock his game. And to some extent, it worked - he had a few solid seasons in a Canucks uniform, including a 35-point campaign in 2016-17.
But over time, injuries and inconsistency caught up with him. Eventually, Baertschi drifted between the NHL and AHL and finished his pro career overseas in Switzerland.
While Baertschi’s time in Vancouver was a mixed bag, the Flames did pretty well with that second-rounder. They used it to draft a defenseman named Rasmus Andersson out of the OHL’s Barrie Colts. And that’s where this trade tree really starts to grow.
Rasmus Andersson: A Core Piece in Calgary
Andersson took a traditional development path - one more year in junior, a couple seasons in the AHL, and then a full-time promotion to the NHL in 2018-19. From there, he became a staple on Calgary’s blue line. Known for his edge, his puck-moving ability, and his willingness to chirp anyone in his zip code, Andersson logged big minutes and played in all situations.
He wasn’t just a depth guy - he was a key piece. But as the Flames began to pivot toward a retool, it became clear this past summer that Andersson’s timeline no longer aligned with the team’s direction. That set the stage for another major move.
Trade 2: Andersson to Vegas
The Deal:
Calgary trades Rasmus Andersson (50% salary retained) to the Vegas Golden Knights for:
- A conditional 2027 first-round pick
- A conditional 2028 second-round pick
- Defenseman Zach Whitecloud
- Prospect Abram Wiebe
Vegas had been circling Andersson for a while. After acquiring Noah Hanifin from Calgary a few seasons ago, the Golden Knights doubled down on their blue line by adding Andersson - even without an extension in place. The expectation is that a new deal will come, but for now, Vegas gets a proven top-four defenseman for their playoff push.
On Calgary’s end, the return is all about flexibility and future upside. Whitecloud is a steady, right-shot defenseman with term left on his deal - a player the Flames can either keep as part of the rebuild or flip for more assets.
Abram Wiebe is a college prospect with size and upside, someone who could climb the organizational ladder in the next few years. And then there are the picks - a first and a second - both of which could turn into key pieces down the line or be used as trade chips.
Where This Tree Could Grow Next
That’s the beauty of trade trees - they’re never really finished. Calgary now has multiple new pieces that could spark future deals or develop into core players.
- The Draft Picks: A first-rounder and a second-rounder are no small thing, especially for a team in transition. Whether Calgary uses those picks to draft and develop or flips them for immediate help, they’ll continue to shape the roster for years.
- Zach Whitecloud: There’s already buzz that Calgary might shop him before the deadline. He’s the kind of player that playoff teams love - reliable, experienced, and under contract. If the Flames do move him, the return could add another branch to this growing tree.
- Abram Wiebe: He’s still a ways off from the NHL, but if he pans out, he becomes a homegrown piece that traces all the way back to that Baertschi deal.
- Vegas’ Side: Even the Golden Knights could keep this tree alive. If they don’t extend Andersson and he walks in free agency, they might look to trade his signing rights in July for another asset. That would create another layer to the transaction - and another team pulled into the mix.
The Big Picture
So let’s connect the dots:
- 2011: Flames draft Sven Baertschi 13th overall
- 2015: Baertschi traded to Vancouver for a second-round pick
- 2015: That pick becomes Rasmus Andersson
- 2026: Andersson traded to Vegas for a package of picks, a player, and a prospect
What started as a first-round pick 15 years ago has already turned into eight years of NHL service from a top-four defenseman - and now, four more assets that could impact Calgary’s future. That’s the kind of long-term value teams dream of when they make moves at the trade deadline.
The Sven Baertschi trade tree might not be the most sprawling one in hockey history - not yet, anyway - but it’s still growing. And if the Flames play their cards right, it could be branching out for a long time to come.