Calgary Flames' $27 Million Defenseman Calls Out 'Fake Information' on Contract Talks

Rasmus Andersson Denies Reports of Golden Knights-Only Claim

Reports earlier in the offseason suggested Andersson was only willing to go to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Andersson already pushed back against that narrative at the start of August, while acknowledging he has provided Calgary with a list of more than one acceptable destination.

“I have not given Calgary a team that I only want to play with one team,” Andersson told Swedish outlet Expressen. “That is not true.”

The 28-year-old also revealed he turned down a significant long-term deal from another franchise around the start of free agency this offseason, citing family considerations.

“I thought about a lot of things. I talked to my family and thought that right then and there, I wasn’t really keen on moving my family there and signing a long-term contract; that’s what it all came down to,” Andersson said.

Flames Face Uncertain Rasmus Andersson Decision

Asked about Andersson's situation during the NHL player media tour in Europe at the end of August, Flames captain Backlund was blunt about what's next for the defenseman.

“Yeah, he’s getting traded. It’s obvious,” Backlund said. “But the team wants value. He wants a big contract. So he wants to play well. The team needs him to play well. So, just go out and play. I talked to him, too, and he doesn’t want to be a distraction. So it’s all good. It’s too bad it’s come to this.”

Andersson finished last season with 11 goals, 20 assists and a minus-38 rating while only missing one regular-season game. The blueliner was coming off a 39-point season the year before and has now had back-to-back campaigns posting negative plus/minus figures.