Los Angeles Kings attempted to trade for Flames’ Rasmus Andersson at the draft: report

The period around the NHL Draft and the opening of unrestricted free agency can be chaotic, folks, as all of the National Hockey League’s 32 clubs work hard to improve their rosters.

One of the teams that’s trying to make their team better is the Los Angeles Kings, following a first round exit at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers – their fourth consecutive first-round loss to Connor McDavid’s crew. Our pal Darren Dreger from TSN made an appearance on Edmonton Sports Talk on Monday morning to tee up Tuesday’s opening of free agency and discussed how new Kings general manager Ken Holland is trying to improve his club.

One such attempt? Trying to swing a trade during the 2025 NHL Draft to acquire Calgary Flames blueliner Rasmus Andersson.

Here’s Dreger (1:18:00 into the show stream):

“I heard a whopper of the LA Kings going after Rasmus Andersson at the draft. And I can’t share exactly what the details were. It was a *deal*. It was Ken Holland stepping up to make a deal. And I don’t think Andersson wanted to play in LA, and he’s got trade protection. I get a strong sense that the LA Kings are swinging for the fence here.”

(Some things don’t translate well into a text transcript, but when Dreger emphasized the word “deal,” it was likely only meant to convey the impressiveness of the trade.)

If you’re just joining us, two things you need to know:

1. Rasmus Andersson was drafted by the Flames in 2015 and has become one of their most important players and people, on and off the ice. He’s an all-situations option for the Flames’ coaching staff and despite his rough plus/minus in 2024-25, he’s a really good player that plays a premium position as a right shot defender.
2. Andersson is heading into the final year of his contract, which carries a $4.55 million cap hit and a six team no-trade clause. Reports are that Andersson and the Flames are far apart on their desires for his next contract, and so it’s probable that he’ll be moved at some point. But Flames GM Craig Conroy has emphasized that he’s in no hurry to move Andersson.

The Flames likely have a price in mind for Andersson, and also know that the return they get would be boosted by sending Andersson somewhere he would like to remain long-term. And so, trade chatter will inevitably continue until the Flames and Andersson get the price, and destination, that they desire.

Free agency opens at 10 a.m. MT on July 1.