Rasmus Andersson's days with the Calgary Flames appear to be numbered
Calgary Flames fans may need to start preparing for a future without Rasmus Andersson.
The 28-year-old defenceman has been a pillar on the Flames’ back end for seven seasons, logging plenty of minutes over the course of his 536-game career.
Andersson is a fan favourite in Calgary, thanks in part to his fun and unique personality, which was on display several times this season with his ‘stare down’ goal celebration.
Rasmus Andersson adds onto his long list of opposing fan stare-downs after goals š pic.twitter.com/oXntQkGVk0
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 26, 2025
Despite repeatedly expressing his desire to stay with the Flames for the remainder of his career, Andersson is also well aware of what lies ahead. He is set to enter the final year of his contract in 2025-26, and it may not make a lot of sense for the rebuilding organization to sign a player of his age to a long-term extension.
Though the Flames held onto Andersson throughout the 2024-25 campaign and were believed to be interested in an extension, the discourse has since changed in a big way, to the point that him being traded feels like a matter of when, not if.
“I’m quite definitive in thinking that we’ve seen him play his last game as a Calgary Flame,” Sportsnet’s Eric Francis said to Pat Steinberg on Flames Talk. “This will be resolved with a trade this summer, that’s definitely the feeling I have.”
Part of the reason it makes so much sense for the Flames to move Andersson is that they have plenty of right-shot defenceman prospects who could be pushing for roster spots this coming training camp. Not only would moving the Swedish blueliner open a spot, but it would allow for the Flames to add even more pieces, whether it be prospects or draft picks, to help shape the future of the organization.
Though the Flames could choose to hold onto Andersson to begin the 2025-26 campaign, it’s beginning to feel more and more likely that he’s moved at some point this offseason.
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