The Calgary Flames are not wasting any time; trade rumors surrounding Rasmus Andersson could become a reality, and it may happen sooner than anticipated. Speculation surrounding the defenseman’s future has been around for a while now. Recently, Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios has attempted to acquire Andersson. Moreover, the Toronto Maple Leafs have also been in contention for the blueliner.
Now, the Boston Bruins are among the three Atlantic Division teams interested in Andersson. In fact, the Bruins are wasting no time and have already made an offer to the Flames for the 29-year-old.
This is What the Boston Bruins’ Trade Offer For Rasmus Andersson Looks Like
The Bruins, along with the Senators and the Detroit Red Wings, are the three Atlantic Division teams interested in the defenseman. Andersson is nearing the end of his six-year, $27.3 million contract with the Flames. Given the Flames’ underwhelming season, trade rumors were inevitable, and a player of Andersson’s caliber is bound to command interest, and he is.
The Flames are expected to expedite the whole process. According to insider Elliotte Friedman, the Calgary front office may attempt to finalize the deal before the Olympics.
It does seem like Calgary is getting a little more aggressive in trying to do something. It sounds like there’s a desire for them to do it before the Olympics, and teams know that. Now, there’s been stops and starts with this before, so I’m always careful, but there are times it seems more active than other times, and one of those times is now,” Friedman stated on the subject, as reported by James Murphy of RG Media.
The Bruins are one team that is expected to be at the forefront of any discussion surrounding the defenseman’s future with the Flames’ management. According to an NHL source, the Bruins’ trade offer to the Flames for Andersson would include Mason Lohrei and a first-round pick. “The Bruins made an offer. I’m hearing that Mason Lohrei and the Bruins’ first-round pick are in play.”
This is not the first time Lohrei’s name has been mentioned. “Texts to both Bruins and Flames sources to confirm were not returned on Tuesday, but that tracks with what was told to RG back at the NHL Draft. Multiple sources confirmed then that Lohrei’s name was out there, and another source reached on Tuesday said he was told Lohrei came up in NHL trade talks between the Bruins and the Flames,” Murphy wrote, further cementing the rumors.
As far as the Red Wings go, the team will be willing to further trade talks with Calgary only on the condition that the 29-year-old blueliner agrees to sign a contract extension. A similar condition could also be advanced by the Senators, as reported by Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen.
“The club has also kicked tires with the Calgary Flames on right-shot defenceman Rasmus Andersson, but he’d have to be willing to sign an extension in Ottawa to make a move,” Garrioch reported.
The Flames are eager to make a move, and with so many suitors for Andersson, it is only a matter of time before a trade surrounding the defenseman finally happens.
