NHL Trade Rumblings: Flames Accelerate Andersson Talks, Canucks' Hronek Drawing Eyes, Rangers Face Hard Reset, Oilers Ride Goalie Trio
With the Olympic roster freeze looming, NHL front offices are picking up the pace - and a few storylines are heating up fast. From Calgary’s push to move Rasmus Andersson, to Vancouver’s quietly coveted blue-line asset, to the Rangers staring down a longer reset than expected, there’s plenty to unpack. Let’s break it down.
Flames Looking to Move Andersson Before Olympic Freeze
Calgary isn’t wasting any time when it comes to Rasmus Andersson. The Flames have made it clear to interested teams: if you want in, now’s the time. With the Olympic roster freeze set for February 4, Calgary is pushing hard to get a deal done before then - and the clock is ticking.
Insiders across the board are pointing to an uptick in talks. Frank Seravalli and Pierre LeBrun both report that negotiations have picked up significantly, with a deal potentially coming together within the next day or two. Elliotte Friedman echoed that sentiment on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast, noting that both the team and Andersson want clarity before the break hits.
What kind of deal are we looking at? That’s still up in the air.
It could be a rental or a longer-term move, but one thing is clear: Boston was in the mix - and now they’re likely out. According to James Murphy, Andersson isn’t willing to sign an extension with the Bruins, which takes them off the board for now.
More Than Just Boston in the Mix
Boston might be out, but plenty of teams are still circling. Vegas, who had interest in Andersson last season, remains a name to watch.
Dallas is lurking too, though they’re keeping things quiet. And then there’s Vancouver - a bit of a surprise entrant, but according to Friedman, the Canucks are “in the middle of everything.”
If Calgary’s looking to move Andersson quickly, they won’t have to search far for suitors. Right-shot defensemen with top-four ability don’t grow on trees, and Andersson’s skill set - puck movement, physicality, minutes-eating - is tailor-made for a playoff push.
Vancouver’s Secret Weapon: Filip Hronek
Speaking of Vancouver, if they ever decide to shake things up in a major way, Filip Hronek would instantly become one of the most sought-after names on the market. That’s not speculation - that’s straight from Friedman, who called Hronek “the guy” teams would line up for.
And it’s easy to see why. Hronek is a right-shot defenseman who can play in all situations, log heavy minutes, and bring a competitive edge every night. He’s not flashy, but he’s exactly the type of player contenders crave - especially come spring.
Yes, Hronek has a no-move clause, and no, there’s no indication the Canucks are actively shopping him. But should Vancouver pivot and open the door to big-time trade talks, Hronek’s name would dominate the conversation. Ottawa is one team Friedman mentioned as a likely caller, and they wouldn’t be alone.
Connor Garland would also draw interest, but Hronek is the top prize. For now, he’s central to what Vancouver’s building - but if that changes, the phones will light up.
Rangers Facing a Longer, More Complicated Reset
In New York, the Rangers might be coming to terms with a tougher reality: this isn’t going to be a quick fix.
The team still has star power and remains a destination for free agents, but their trade assets are limited, and the current free-agent class doesn’t offer many game-changers. According to Friedman, the Rangers may be realizing that the path forward is more complex - and that a splashy move won’t solve everything.
This isn’t a team that’s fully committed to a rebuild in the past. When Artemi Panarin became available, they accelerated the process. That shortcut might not be there this time.
There’s also a sense of pressure creeping into the locker room. Players are visibly frustrated, and media interactions have become a bit tense.
One recent example: the Rangers made a push to acquire Kiefer Sherwood from Vancouver. Chris Johnston reports the offer included a young player with pedigree and a second-round pick - but it wasn’t enough to get the deal done.
That’s the challenge facing New York now. They’re trying to improve, but they’re working with a limited toolkit.
Oilers Stay Patient with Three-Goalie Setup
Meanwhile, in Edmonton, the Oilers are navigating a rare - and welcome - luxury: stability in net.
Connor Ingram has been a calming presence between the pipes, and he was solid again in a tight loss to the Islanders. Tristan Jarry remains the starter, but the Oilers are managing his workload carefully. Calvin Pickard is still on the roster, and the team knows they’d likely lose him if they tried to sneak him through waivers.
So, for now, Edmonton is rolling with three goalies. Head coach Kris Knoblauch isn’t sweating the situation - and frankly, why should he? After years of inconsistency in the crease, this is a good problem to have.
Rather than rushing into a move, the Oilers are taking it day by day. The Olympic break offers a natural checkpoint, and until then, they’re content to ride the current setup. It might not be conventional, but it’s working - and for a team that’s seen its share of chaos in net, this version of “complicated” is a welcome change.
Final Thoughts
With the Olympic freeze just weeks away, the trade market is starting to simmer. Calgary’s urgency with Andersson, Vancouver’s potential to shake things up, New York’s realization that a reset may take time, and Edmonton’s goaltending stability all point to a league in motion.
The next few weeks could be pivotal - not just for these teams, but for how the playoff picture shapes up across the NHL.