Looking at trade partners for Rasmus Andersson

The biggest conversation regarding the Calgary Flames is the future of Rasmus Andersson. In his locker clean-out day interview, Andersson revealed he was playing through a broken fibula. He also revealed that he was unsure what was going to happen next. Flames General Manager Craig Conroy echoed the same thing.

The way things are trending, I don’t think it makes sense for the Flames to extend him. He’s been a great Flame and is a heck of a human being. Committing to the contract that Andersson is going to command just doesn’t fit with their long-term vision. Andersson will be 30 when his new contract kicks in. The team has a lot of good young right defence options coming up the pipeline.

The Flames or any team can’t officially begin contract extension talks with Andersson until July 1. So it’s not likely he’s dealt by the draft, unless Andersson and his agent express interest in extending with the acquiring club. Andersson is signed through the 2025–26 season at an AAV of $4.55M.

There aren’t many options available in free agency, other than Aaron Ekblad. Cody Ceci, Henri Jokiharju, Dante Fabbro, and Nick Perbix are some other names. Burns is 40. Jeff Petry is 38.

Let’s look at the teams that might line up for Andersson’s services this summer.

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars are currently up 3–2 against the Colorado Avalanche in the first round. Their roster is quite stacked, with the exception of RD, especially with Heiskanen injured. Even with him back, Ilya Lyubushkin, Cody Ceci, and Matt Dumba don’t exactly inspire confidence.

The Flames could help fill the one real hole the Stars have on their roster. The Stars have a couple intriguing young players in Mavrik Bourque and Lian Bichsel. Bichsel would be tough to pry, but he’s a big left defence and fills a need. Bourque might be a bit easier to target, given the Stars’ depth at forward. Bourque is a right-shot centre who had 11 goals and 25 points in 73 games. He’s a restricted free agent this summer.

The Flames could take on Matt Dumba’s contract to increase the trade return and help the Stars with their cap space.

Detroit Red Wings

To me, this is the team that makes the most sense. Detroit finished outside the playoffs again, so you know there will be a push to competitiveness. On the back end, the Detroit Red Wings have Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson, and then not much after that. Seider averaged more than 25 minutes per game this year. With Jeff Petry likely aging out and Justin Holl not being a consistent top-four option, the path to add Andersson is very clear.

The Red Wings have Nate Danielsson, a 20-year-old right-shot centre who had 12 goals and 39 points in 71 AHL games. Danielsson was selected ninth overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. He would no doubt be the centrepiece of an Andersson deal. With Dylan Larkin, Marco Kasper, Andrew Copp, and J.T. Compher fighting for NHL centre spots in the NHL, the Red Wings might be willing to part with Danielsson.

Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes are off to the second round, but there are some offseason questions on the back-end. Dmitry Orlov and Brent Burns are both unrestricted free agents. If the Canes choose to move on from 40-year-old Burns, they’re left with Sean Walker and Jalen Chatfield on the right side.

Typically, the Canes are a ‘replace-within’ franchise. Scott Morrow and Alexander Nikishin (LD) are both waiting in the wings. The Canes are flush with futures assets thanks to the Mikko Rantanen deal. If they go out in the second/third round again, maybe they take a swing for the fences?

San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks are still rebuilding, but are beginning to add veteran players to begin pushing for the playoffs. Tyler Toffoli was a great fit and mentor for their young guys. Why not add another former Flame?

The Sharks’ most obvious position of need is defence, particularly RD. This season, they had Timothy Liljegren, Jan Rutta, and Cody Ceci—traded and replaced with Vincent Desharnais. They need their ‘guy’ yet. I don’t know if Andersson is that level, but he would give the Sharks a minute-munching veteran defenceman to lead the team forward. And the Sharks have the cap space to pay him.

I doubt the Sharks would part with Sam Dickinson. But they have a plethora of first-round picks and prospects that could interest the Flames.

Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens took a huge step this year, even though their playoff run was quashed last night. Their rebuild has been extremely successful, and the team is flush with young players and picks. A second-line centre is likely their biggest target this summer, but they might look at their right side as well. David Savard is retiring. Alex Carrier was a huge addition, and David Reinbacher and Logan Mailloux are waiting in the wings. Lane Hutson can play the right side as well.

If the Habs really want to solidify things, Andersson could be the guy. Kirby Dach would be an intriguing return, given he’s a big right-shot centre. However, the injury concerns are glaring. If the Habs, who are looking to add a centre, are open to moving him, there might be some concern. Michael Hage is also extremely interesting, but I doubt the Habs are listening on him.

Nashville Predators

If the Nashville Predators believe that this older core can be salvaged, their right side needs a lot of work. Their only right-shot defender is Justin Barron, although Roman Josi can play the right side.

Buffalo Sabres

Pending extensions, does a Rasmus Andersson for Bowen Byram swap make sense for either side? Andersson does have a six-team no-trade list, so you can probably count Buffalo out.