One of the more intriguing storylines in the upcoming 2025-26 NHL season is the fate of Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, who has been with the franchise for nearly a decade.
Andersson’s future with the Flames isn’t set, as he’s preparing to play the final season of his current contract and remains without a deal beyond 2026.
Amid reports that his contract discussions with the Flames are putting them in a financial bind, Andersson is pushing back.
What Did Rasmus Andersson Say Amid Reports That He Has Hamstrung the Flames Financially?
Andersson fired back at reports claiming he would only accept a deal with one team, which would considerably tie the hands of general manager Craig Conroy.
“The thing that bothers you is fake information that comes out. I saw some reports that I would only sign in one team, and this and that,” Andersson said on Tuesday (per SportsNet). “I mean, nothing could be further from the truth. (Craig Conroy) and I have had a few conversations over the summer, and I would never handcuff him and give him one team.”
Conroy recently indicated that both he and Andersson are in a good place, and that Andersson’s competitive nature will only serve the Flames well this season as they work to return to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in three years.
“We talked to him yesterday,” Conroy said (per Flames Nation). “And, you know, the one thing, I mean, it’s a similar, you know, we’re not going to close the door on anything either. You know, we’re just going to, we need Rasmus to come in and be the player we think. He looks like he’s in great shape. He’s ready to go. He’s motivated. And the one thing, he wants to win. I mean, he’s a competitive guy that wants to win night in and night out.”
Last season with the Flames, Andersson tallied 11 goals and 20 assists.
Andersson was selected 53rd overall by Calgary in the 2015 NHL draft while playing for the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League, and he has spent his entire NHL career in a Flames uniform, developing a reputation as one of the team’s more reliable and durable defenders.
He has played in 536 career regular-season games, tallying 47 goals and 184 assists. Additionally, he has seven goals and seven assists in 27 career postseason games.
Andersson has also represented his native Sweden in international play.
