Trade chatter around the NHL is heating up as the 2025 Draft approaches, and one name drawing significant attention is Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson. A trade didn’t come together at the last deadline, but that doesn’t mean interest has cooled.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly back in the mix. With Andersson entering the final year of his contract and the Flames in the middle of a rebuild, his departure seems all but certain. Now, several teams are lining up to make a move, and Toronto might just be at the front of the line.
Flames Face Tough Decision on Rasmus Andersson as Draft Looms
Entering the final year of a six-year, $27.3 million contract, Andersson will hit unrestricted free agency next summer at the age of 29. That puts the Flames in a tricky position: either try to extend him now or trade him before he walks away for nothing.
According to reports, recent extension talks between Andersson and the Flames didn’t go well. They made the situation quite clear; the gap between what Andersson wants and what Calgary is willing to offer is just too wide. That effectively sealed Andersson’s fate in Calgary and set the wheels in motion for an offseason move.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were serious suitors for Andersson at the last trade deadline, and although a deal never came together, they could circle back now. Toronto is still in need of a reliable right-shot defenseman, and Andersson checks several boxes.
As seemed inevitable, Rasmus Andersson and the Flames will part ways. @EricFrancis argues why it’s in everyone’s best interest to move the minute-muncher before the draft starts Friday. https://t.co/TyQ0mcG9RV
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 25, 2025
At 6’1″ and 202 pounds, he brings size, physicality, and experience as a top-pairing defender. Even though he posted just 31 points and a minus-38 rating last season, he’s only a year removed from a 50-point campaign and is still seen as one of the league’s top shot-blocking, minute-eating blueliners.
From Calgary’s perspective, now is the right time to make a move. The team is in full retool mode and unlikely to contend within the next couple of seasons.
With promising right-handed defense prospects like Zayne Parekh and Hunter Brzustewicz coming up, and MacKenzie Weegar already holding down the fort, Andersson’s future role on the team has become unclear. Trading him now could allow the Flames to secure a valuable return that helps build for the future.
There’s added urgency, too, with a draft that is heavy in center talent. The Flames could target a top middleman to develop by moving Andersson before or during the event. That fits into the longer-term vision Calgary is now focused on.
Other teams like the Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, and Buffalo Sabres are also reportedly keeping an eye on Andersson. Buffalo, holding the ninth overall pick and openly exploring trade options, could be a particularly intriguing partner, assuming they’re not on Andersson’s no-trade list.
Ultimately, Andersson is betting on himself by heading into free agency, and his skill set makes him highly attractive to contending teams looking to reinforce their blue line at a reasonable $4.55 million cap hit.
For Calgary, the time to act is now. And for teams like Toronto, this might be the perfect opportunity to land a proven, top-pairing defenseman before the market heats up even further.
