Let’s rip the band-aid off immediately for the Toronto faithful: Rasmus Andersson is almost certainly leaving the Calgary Flames before the March 6 trade deadline, but he probably isn’t landing in Ontario. While the connection to the Toronto Maple Leafs is an easy narrative to draw—he’d accept the trade and sign the extension—the math simply doesn’t add up. Toronto lacks the cap space flexibility and, frankly, the high-end trade assets to satisfy Calgary’s GM without gutting their own roster.
If you want to know where the 29-year-old right-handed blueliner is actually going, you need to look at the teams with deep prospect pools and legitimate playoff aspirations. The writing is on the wall, and two specific franchises have moved into the driver’s seat.
The “Friedman Rule” Favors the Dallas Stars
Rasmus Andersson is currently playing monster minutes—over 24 a night in all situations—and sits second in team scoring behind only Nazem Kadri. He is exactly the kind of piece that pushes a contender over the edge.
My eyes are glued to the Dallas Stars. There is an old adage in NHL reporting often cited by insider Elliotte Friedman: always pay attention to the first team linked to a player. The Stars have been circling Andersson since last season. Jim Nill knows his window is open, and he needs to keep pace in a brutal Central Division.
The Trade Offer: Unlike Toronto, Dallas has the assets to entice Calgary. A realistic package starts with Nils Lundqvist. The young right-shot defenseman has struggled to find his footing in Dallas, but a change of scenery to Calgary—where he can play freely—makes him an attractive reclamation project for the Flames.
- To Calgary: Nils Lundqvist, 2026 1st Round Pick, and a 2027 3rd Round Pick.
- To Dallas: Rasmus Andersson (50% retained).
This deal gives Calgary a former first-rounder to rehabilitate and premium draft capital, while Dallas gets their top-four anchor for a deep run.
Detroit Red Wings: The Swedish Connection
Don’t sleep on Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings. After reportedly swinging and missing on a deal for a high-profile defenseman recently (rumors suggest a push for a Hughes-caliber player), Detroit has shifted focus.
The organization has a historical love affair with Swedish defensemen, and Andersson fits the mold of what they are missing. The Red Wings have surprised the league this season, moving from “rebuild” to “threat.” Yzerman has a war chest of young NHL talent and a loaded prospect pool that Calgary would covet.
The Trade Offer: Detroit has the cap space to absorb Andersson’s contract and extend him immediately, but the acquisition cost will be high. Yzerman would likely dip into his defensive prospect depth.
- To Calgary: 2026 1st Round Pick, D William Wallinder (or similar high-end prospect), and D Carter Mazur.
- To Detroit: Rasmus Andersson.
This is a heavy price, but for a Detroit team looking to solidify its blue line for the next five years, Andersson is the perfect partner for their existing young core.
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