Rasmus Andersson’s future with the Calgary Flames is becoming a major storyline this offseason, with insider reports hinting that a trade could be on the table.
NHL reporter David Pagnotta revealed that the Flames may consider moving Andersson if a contract extension isn’t reached before the NHL Draft.
Rasmus Andersson Trade Rumors Heat Up Amid Contract Uncertainty
In a segment on X with rinkside reporter Kate Pettersen, Pagnotta laid out where things stand. Both Andersson and the Flames reportedly want to continue the partnership, but getting a deal done hasn’t been easy. With just one year left on Andersson’s contract, time is short.
“That’s going to be the task (extension),” Pagnotta said. “And he (Andersson), as you said, has expressed his desire to stay. Craig Conroy, their general manager, has expressed his desire to keep him. But it’s got to all work.”
Andersson is entering the final year of a six-year, $27.3 million deal that carries a $4.55 million cap hit. Pagnotta noted that a new contract could fall in the $7–8 million per year range, depending on the length. If no agreement is reached by July 1, when extensions can officially be signed, trade discussions may pick up ahead of the draft in Los Angeles.
“If they can’t figure things out by draft time, even though he has one year left, it sounds like they may entertain the idea of trading him around the draft in Los Angeles,” Pagnotta said.
He added that both sides plan to “hunker down” and work toward a resolution over the summer. But for now, the possibility of a trade remains very real.
Flames Face Critical Decision With Andersson
The Flames find themselves at a crossroads, and Andersson is right at the center of it. The 28-year-old defenseman remains a vital piece of Calgary’s blue line. In 2024–25, he played 81 games, scored 11 goals, recorded 20 assists, and averaged nearly 24 minutes of ice time per night.
Despite Andersson’s steady performance, the Flames missed the playoffs for the third straight year. Both their power play and penalty kill ranked in the league’s bottom third, underscoring deeper problems the front office needs to solve. As the team eyes a potential rebuild, Andersson’s long-term fit is uncertain.
General manager Craig Conroy told Sportsnet Radio that Andersson asked for space after the season to reset and focus on representing Sweden at the World Championships. Conroy said the team respects that decision and plans to resume negotiations later in the summer.
“He just wanted to take time,” Conroy said. “He just said, I don’t want to talk about anything about this. I want to go into the World Championships, I want to be at home with my family, and then we’ll touch base in the summer.”
While Andersson has made it clear he wants to stay in Calgary, the Flames may opt for a different path. He remains a valuable trade chip, especially with several right-shot defense prospects on the rise. Trading him could clear cap space and speed up a roster reset.
With the draft around the corner and talks paused, Flames fans should brace for every possible outcome.
SIlly article. Andersson will not be extended before the draft. The draft is on June 27 and he cannot sign an extension until July 1st.