The Calgary Flames began the season on a high note, dealing the Edmonton Oilers a damning 4-3 defeat at Rogers Place. However, decline followed soon after, and besides a victory against the New York Rangers and the latest win against the Philadelphia Flyers on the road, the Flames have had a thoroughly forgettable season.
Discontent is brewing among the Calgary fanbase, and the prospect of key players being traded is not an impossibility. Rasmus Andersson and center Nazem Kadri have been at the center of trade rumors for a while now, and the Flames’ poor season has only exacerbated such speculation. To further add fuel to such speculations, David Pagnotta has named a potential suitor for Andersson.
Is a Particular Western Conference Rival in Contention for Calgary Flames’ Rasmus Andersson?
The Flames are languishing at the bottom of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference, with three wins, nine losses, and eight points. By all means, the season appears irredeemable. While the Flames’ top bosses have expressed their willingness to “stay in the fight” before moving Kadri, no similar sentiment has been exhibited when it comes to Andersson.
Are the Flames shopping for the key defenceman? It is not unlikely, given the trajectory of the 2025-26 season. Moreover, if Craig Conroy wants to make a move surrounding Andersson, he may find a potential destination in the Colorado Avalanche. What’s more, the Avalanche’s interest in Andersson is nothing new, according to David Pagnotta.
Pagnotta appeared on the Hello Hockey podcast and dropped a significant clue about Andersson’s future. It seems that the blueliner wants to either stay in Calgary or play with either the Dallas Stars or the Vegas Golden Knights. However, that hasn’t stopped other teams from showing interest in the 29-year-old.
For instance, the Los Angeles Kings attempted to acquire the defenceman to no avail, but Colorado has shown sustained interest in Andersson. “I think there are other teams that would like to get their hands on him [Andersson]. Like LA tried, and he wouldn’t sign the extension, so they said, ‘Alright, to hell with this.’ Cody Ceci is next. But then Colorado is kind of poking around and had interest in the past, so we will see where that kind of goes.”
Andersson’s six-year, $27.3 million contract with the Flames is almost up, and given the disaster this season is turning out to be for Calgary, we may have to witness the blueliner joining the ranks of another team. Colorado, on the other hand, is having as good a season as it can, ruling over the Central Division with 19 points.