Calgary, AB – Flames General Manager Craig Conroy has established a pattern he might find beneficial to continue.
In each of his first two seasons leading the Calgary Flames, he has completed trades during draft week, moving veteran players who were entering the final year of their contracts before potential unrestricted free agency.
Two years ago, Tyler Toffoli was the player involved.
Last year, Andrew Mangiapane fit this description.
This year, Rasmus Andersson should be the one considered for a trade.
With the draft just days away, making this move soon could allow the Flames to acquire draft pick(s) potentially usable as early as Friday or Saturday night.
Andersson`s future with the Flames was likely sealed last week when discussions about a potential contract extension revealed a seemingly insurmountable difference between the two sides.
This outcome was both understandable and, in many ways, predictable.
As the Flames` leader in ice time and primary shot-blocker, Andersson is completely justified in seeking a significant contract, the kind many teams will eagerly offer next summer when the salary cap is expected to rise again and his valuable skills become available to all 32 clubs.
He is willing to bet on himself, suggesting that the defenseman, who once scored 50 points, is a more capable player than his 31 points and minus-38 rating from last season might imply.
The Flames are reluctant to match his price (and desired maximum contract term), especially considering Andersson will be 29 next summer, and the team is still in a retooling phase, likely several seasons away from being a true contender.
Additionally, the team has promising young right-shot defensemen in Zayne Parekh and Hunter Brzustewicz, who are viewed as key pieces for the team`s right side in the future, playing alongside MacKenzie Weegar.
Therefore, as seemed probable after Andersson`s media availability two months ago that felt like a farewell, it appears the time has come for both parties to move in different directions.
Facilitating this before Friday`s draft, which is notably strong with center prospects, is in everyone`s best interest and improves the team`s chances of adding another forward they can develop.
This suggestion isn`t a call for a hasty decision based solely on last week`s contract talks. Maximizing the return for a proven, affordable, heavy-shooting right-shot defender remains the priority.
Given what Andersson brings – a 6`1″, 202-pound frame combined with his skillset – there is significant interest from numerous teams in acquiring a top-pairing defenseman who is entering his prime and scheduled to earn only $4.55 million next season.
Notably, he recently served as captain for Sweden at the world championships.
Andersson has a no-trade list that includes six teams, undoubtedly featuring division rivals Edmonton and Vancouver, about whom he famously joked, “I hate the Oilers, I hate the Canucks and that’s just the way I am.”
This competitive spirit adds to his appeal as a sought-after leader.
As a potential one-year rental, he`s an attractive asset. However, for teams interested in securing him long-term through a sign-and-trade agreement, the potential trade package offered could be significantly enhanced.
Negotiating such a long-term deal might take more time.
But with teams around the league already two months into their offseason planning, those interested should certainly be prepared to delve deeper into the possibilities of adding one of the more passionate players in the league.
Teams across the NHL looking to strengthen their right defensive side have likely been aware for some time that Andersson could be available this summer.
It`s important to note that the current situation is not hostile, and General Manager Conroy is not obligated to make a trade immediately; he has until next season`s trade deadline at the latest.
If a suitable trade cannot be found this week or even this summer, Andersson, as a professional, would likely continue to be a key emotional leader for the team next season and could mentor young Parekh.
However, his presence with an uncertain future could create the type of distraction Conroy has aimed to avoid since the constant trade discussions surrounding other pending UFAs like Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev, and Nikita Zadorov dominated the narrative two seasons ago.
There is also the inherent risk of injury to a player who blocked 196 shots last year, a total higher than all but three other players in the league.
Recall that Andersson played the final 12 games last season despite suffering a broken fibula while blocking a shot.