The Calgary Flames may finally be on the verge of moving Rasmus Andersson, and it sounds like the market has heated up at just the right time. According to multiple league sources, trade talks around the veteran defenseman have intensified in recent days, and there’s a growing sense that a deal could be wrapped up by the end of the weekend.
Andersson’s name has been floating around the trade block for a while now, but the buzz is louder than ever. The Golden Knights and Stars have consistently been linked to the 29-year-old, and there’s little reason to believe either team has backed off. Vegas, in particular, seems like a strong fit-both in terms of need and the potential to extend him beyond this season.
Ottawa has also shown interest, dating back to the offseason. But there’s a snag: the Senators are reportedly on Andersson’s six-team no-trade list. That doesn’t mean a deal is impossible, but it does make the path a little more complicated.
At one point, Andersson looked like a foundational piece for the Flames’ top pair-a guy you could pencil in for big minutes and big expectations. But with Calgary leaning into a rebuild, committing long-term money to a player nearing 30 doesn’t quite fit the plan.
That said, Andersson has done his part to boost his value this season. After a rough 2024-25 campaign, he’s bounced back in a big way.
Through 47 games, Andersson has already piled up 10 goals and 29 points, just two short of his total from last year. His defensive play has taken a noticeable step forward as well.
Last season’s -38 rating painted a rough picture, but this year, paired with shutdown specialist Kevin Bahl, he’s looked much more like the reliable two-way presence Calgary hoped he’d be. He’s also logging a career-high 24:12 of ice time per night-proof that he’s still trusted to handle big minutes in all situations.
Outside of Dallas and Vegas, keep an eye on the Maple Leafs. Toronto made a push for Andersson last season and have been sniffing around right-shot defensemen again, recently being linked to Dougie Hamilton.
From a cap perspective, Andersson is a far more manageable target. His $4.55 million cap hit is a solid value for a top-four blueliner with offensive upside and penalty-kill reliability.
The Flames are clearly at a crossroads, and Andersson’s situation is a reflection of that. He’s still a high-end contributor, but with unrestricted free agency on the horizon and Calgary looking more toward the future than the present, the time to move him may be now. And if the right offer has finally landed on the table, don’t be surprised if Andersson’s next game comes in a different jersey.