Speculation around Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson continues to build as the 2025-26 season approaches. NHL insider David Pagnotta believes the organization may soon be forced into a decision — should they find a suitor, potentially giving him to a rival, or will they let him walk for free?
Is Rasmus Andersson Playing His Final Season in Calgary?
Pagnotta, speaking on “The Fourth Period” podcast, said the Flames still haven’t determined whether to extend or move their top blueliner.
“They’ve got to decide what they want to do with Rasmus Andersson,” he explained, noting that the storyline has shifted in recent weeks, with some suggesting he could remain in Calgary after all.
He compared it to Vancouver’s situation with Brock Boeser, who appeared destined for a trade before re-signing at the last moment.
“Oh, look, it’s just like Brock Boeser, and suddenly he signed last minute and surprised everybody. He did, but he wanted to stay,” Pagnotta said. That, however, may not be the case with Andersson. “I don’t know if Rasmus is fully gung-ho about staying, or else he probably would have signed by now,” Pagnotta added.
If a trade does happen, Pagnotta pointed to two potential destinations. “I think [the] Vegas [Golden Knights] and Dallas [Stars] are his two top teams that he’d like to go to,” he said, stressing that both clubs are in need of a reliable right-shot defenseman capable of logging heavy minutes.
David Pagnotta: Re Rasmus Andersson: I think Vegas and Dallas are his two top teams that he’d like to go to; there was a trade in place with LA pending an extension and he didn’t wanna go there – Hello Hockey (9/27)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) September 28, 2025
Pagnotta also revealed that Los Angeles had a deal lined up for Andersson in the past, but it fell through because the defenseman wouldn’t commit to an extension there.
“We know there was a trade in place with L.A. pending an extension, and he didn’t want to go there. And he wouldn’t sign an extension,” he noted.
Flames Face Critical Decision on Andersson’s Future
Andersson, 28, is entering the final year of a six-year, $27.3 million contract. He played all 81 games last season, averaging 24 minutes a night while recording 11 goals and 20 assists. His consistency makes him one of Calgary’s most valuable players, but the looming risk of free agency leaves management with little room for error.
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The Flames can either try to work out a long-term extension or move him while his value remains high. With the March 6, 2026, trade deadline still months away, his situation has already become one of the central storylines of the upcoming NHL season.
Sure Vegas and Dallas want Andersson, but neither have a 1st pick or top prospect to move, so he’s going somewhere else. But the Habs need a 2C, so Kadri, Miromanov and Poirier for the Habs 1st pick, Guhle and Dach.
AI slop article
It’s not down to just 2 teams. There’s plenty of time before the trade deadline for other teams he’s willing to extend with to get a good bidding war going. All it takes is for another contender to lose one of their top defenseman to injury.