Around the NHL: Flames’ Andersson rejected trade, Panthers’ Ekblad on potential 3-peat

Around the NHL is back for another August edition, as the NHL’s offseason is creeping closer to completion. Training camp is less than a month away, as the 2025-26 season will be here before we know it.

The free-agent market still has some talented veterans looking for one-year contracts instead of professional tryouts, meanwhile some players have decided to head overseas instead of settling for an invitation to training camp. The trade market has appeared to slow down, but conversations continue, including with Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins who continues to discuss deals on forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell.

Here’s the very latest from around the NHL:

Calgary Flames’ Rasmus Andersson rejected trade proposal

The Calgary Flames have been engaged in trade conversations on defenceman Rasmus Andersson, and according to the blueliner, about a month and a half ago he rejected a proposed deal, and hasn’t heard much from the team since.

Andersson, 28, has one season left on his contract at $4.5 million AAV, and owns a six-team no-trade clause. Once the Flames didn’t announce a contract extension on July 1, when Andersson was eligible to sign a new deal, the trade winds picked up in a major way. Andersson’s been linked to several teams including the Dallas Stars and Ottawa Senators, but no word yet on where exactly the Flames were trying to move him.

Andersson is a shot-blocking machine, he’s an above-average skater who can join the rush, and has the capabilities to play heavy top-four minutes, in all situations. His best season came back in 2020-21, when he scored four times and added 46 assists in 82 games. Last season, Andersson recorded 11 goals and 31 points in 81 games, and averaged 23:59 per game, second to only Mackenzie Weegar.

The Flames have over $15 million in cap space, so it’s a bit of an intriguing situation going on with GM Craig Conroy, who has all the resources necessary to lock up Andersson long term. For now he stays, but keep an eye on the trade market as there’s certainly a chance Andersson doesn’t start next season in Calgary.

Aaron Ekblad feels the Florida Panthers aren’t finished

The Florida Panthers have won back-to-back Stanley Cups, and they also won the offseason. GM Bill Zito pulled off a miracle by re-signing Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and defenceman Aaron Ekblad. The right-handed blueliners extension may have been the most surprising, as Ekblad signed an eight-year deal for just $6.1 million AAV. Ekblad would have received offers north of $8 million on the open market.

The Panthers defenceman feels the team is capable of a three-peat, and maybe even more, as Ekblad was on Good Morning America and opened up about the window to win in Florida.

“We have won the Stanley Cup twice, and we still have a long window to win more,” Ekblad said via NHL.com’s George Richards. “Whether it is or isn’t next year, it is just as likely the following year. And the year after that, and the year after that. It’s really cool to be in this position.”

“We thought about winning it for a second straight year last year, too, so I am not going to think any differently this time around,” Ekblad continued. “We don’t think that thinking or talking about winning the Cup again is jinxing anything. I am preparing for the marathon that is an NHL season and the playoffs. I am preparing for it like another season.”

Jakub Vrana signs two-year deal in Sweden

Free-agent forward Jakub Vrana decided he wasn’t interested in a professional tryout agreement, and has signed a two-year contract with Linkoping HC of the Swedish Hockey League.

Vrana spent last season split between the Washington Capitals and the Nashville Predators, who claimed the veteran winger on waivers in late March. The former first-round pick has battled through some adversity, on and off the ice, and while he’s proved capable of providing some secondary scoring when he’s consistently producing, unfortunately for him, the consistency has been missing for a few years now.

Vrana has played parts of nine seasons in the NHL, appearing in 406 games, scoring 119 goals, 104 assists for 223 points.

Quick hits from around the NHL:

• The Athletic’s Josh Yohe feels one of Rust or Rakell from the Penguins won’t be on their roster once the season starts Oct. 7.
• Dallas Stars signed forward Nathan Bastian to a one-year contract worth $775,000.
• Colorado Avalanche re-signed forward Joel Kiviranta to a one-year contract, the terms have yet to be disclosed.
• August 8th has been deemed ‘Patrick Kane day’ in Chicago.
• Detroit Red Wings are once again declaring themselves ‘Hockeytown’, as the tag line will be painted at centre ice at Little Caesars Arena.
• In a wild scene, the Seattle Kraken mascot ‘Buoy’ was chased by a couple of bears during a promotional shoot with the team.