The trade discussions surrounding Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson are gaining significant momentum, as reported by TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun.
At 29 years old, Andersson has made a notable impact this season, scoring 10 goals and accumulating 29 points in just 47 games. He also leads the team with an impressive average of 24 minutes and 12 seconds of ice time per game. In what could potentially be his last appearance for the Flames, he logged an astonishing 26 minutes and 55 seconds on the ice during a 3-1 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.
With a contract that carries a cap hit of $4.55 million set to expire, Andersson was highlighted as the second most likely player to be traded on TSN's inaugural Trade Bait list for 2026. A potential trade would finally conclude the ongoing speculation regarding Andersson’s future, which began last summer as he approaches unrestricted free agency in July. The Flames nearly struck a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights during the off-season, but the agreement ultimately fell through.
"Yeah, he’s getting traded. It’s obvious," commented team captain Mikael Backlund in an interview with The Athletic’s Michael Russo before the season began. He further elaborated, "The team is looking for value, and Andersson is aiming for a significant contract. Both parties need him to perform well, and he doesn’t want to be a distraction. It’s unfortunate that it’s come to this point, and while there doesn’t seem to be a close agreement right now, things can change quickly. We’ll have to wait and see."
As noted by various sources, the urgency surrounding Andersson’s potential trade is increasing. While he played in last night’s game, there’s a growing sense that negotiations are intensifying.
Let’s keep an eye on developments over the next day or two to see if a trade materializes.
Drafted 53rd overall by the Flames in 2015, Andersson has tallied 57 goals and 260 points over the course of 583 career NHL games. He is set to represent Sweden at the upcoming Olympics, having previously led his team to a bronze medal at the World Hockey Championship last spring.
Currently, the Flames find themselves seven points away from the last wild-card spot in the Western Conference, holding a record of 20 wins, 23 losses, and 4 overtime losses this season. Additionally, forwards Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman have also made it onto the top 10 of the Trade Bait list; however, according to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the Flames are inclined to retain Coleman due to his valuable veteran presence.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing situation.
