The noise surrounding the Calgary Flames and their star defenseman Rasmus Andersson has shifted from a low hum to a distinct roar.
If you have been waiting for the other shoe to drop in Calgary, you might not have to wait until the traditional Trade Deadline madness. According to the latest chatter from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Flames aren’t just listening to offers—they are actively looking to make a move, and they have a specific timeline in mind.
The biggest takeaway from the latest 32 Thoughts podcast isn’t just that Andersson is available; it’s that Calgary is “getting a little bit more aggressive” in trying to facilitate a deal right now.
Why the rush?
It appears general manager Craig Conroy has a desire to execute this trade before the Olympics break in mid-February. Teams around the league are aware of this window, and the activity level has spiked considerably over the last 48 hours.
The “Pre-Olympic” Timeline: Why Conroy Wants a Deal Now
From an asset management perspective, moving Andersson now makes perfect sense. He is playing arguably the best hockey of his career, averaging massive minutes—logging 26 minutes against Nashville and Edmonton recently—and showing no signs of slowing down. He is practically a guaranteed lock to play heavy minutes for Sweden at the Olympics.
However, the Olympics present a risk. Injury potential during the tournament is a variable no GM wants to gamble with when holding a pending UFA of this caliber.
Friedman noted that while there have been stops and starts regarding Andersson discussions all season, “one of those times [of activity] is now.” The Flames are in a window where they want to act. This aligns with comments made way back in August by captain Mikael Backlund, who bluntly stated, “He’s going to be traded. We all know that.” It seems the organization is finally ready to fulfill that prophecy.
The Suitors: Truth About Detroit, Vegas, and the Kings
Naturally, when a top-pairing right-shot defenseman hits the market, the rumor mill spins out of control. A recent report on social media linked Andersson to the Detroit Red Wings, a destination that makes sense on paper given their need for blue-line stability.
However, Friedman urged caution regarding the Detroit connection. Steve Yzerman is notoriously tight-lipped (“a vault”), and similar to his pursuit of Quinn Hughes, Yzerman rarely trades for pending UFAs without a contract extension in place.
“I would have to think that Detroit would have to know what Anderson would sign for before they would do that… I didn’t get the sense anything was that close.” — Elliotte Friedman
If not Detroit, then who?
The Vegas Golden Knights remain a primary suspect. After a massive weekend with wins over St. Louis and San Jose, Vegas is looking to solidify their defense for another deep run. They are never shy about big-game hunting.
Additionally, the Los Angeles Kings are reportedly “circling.” They have had interest in Andersson in the past and are actively looking for another defenseman to bolster their group.
The Extension Factor
The final hurdle in any deal will be the contract. Teams are interested in extending Andersson immediately upon trading for him. As of now, it doesn’t appear any team has been granted formal permission to speak with his camp, but that can change with a single phone call.
The Flames are playing well, and Andersson is a huge part of that. But the writing is on the wall. The “aggressive” nature of the current talks suggests that Rasmus Andersson may have already played his final handful of games at the Saddledome.
Finding the Latest Calgary Flames News & Fantasy Tips
As the trade chatter heats up, you don’t want to miss a beat. For the absolute latest Calgary Flames news and instant analysis on where Rasmus Andersson lands, keep it locked here.
Want to turn your hockey knowledge into cash? Join our Fantasy Hockey Pool! We are tracking the NHL point leaders for 2025-26 and offering cash prizes for our top daily winners. Add nhltraderumor.com to your bookmarks today and sign up for our newsletter below so you never miss a breaking trade alert.
The post Is Rasmus Andersson Done in Calgary? Friedman Reveals New Pre-Olympic Urgency appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
