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Red Wings eye Rasmus Andersson after pulling out of big trade

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Jim Parsons | Last updated Jan 14, 2026 3:14 AM ET

The Detroit Red Wings may have missed out on landing Quinn Hughes, but that hasn’t stopped Steve Yzerman from aggressively hunting for another big-name defenseman to bolster his blue line. Reports this week suggest the Red Wings are in on talks involving both Rasmus Andersson and Dougie Hamilton.

According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast, the Red Wings were very much in the mix for Hughes before he was dealt to the Minnesota Wild. In fact, Friedman revealed the interest was mutual. “Hughes wanted to go to the Red Wings; they were one of the teams he was very interested in,” said Friedman. Other reports noted that Yzerman wasn’t willing to pay the asking price.

Now, they’re going for another target that might not cost as many assets. Is Rasmus Andersson their top target?

The Red Wings Like Rasmus Andersson

Friedman added, “But Steve Yzerman wouldn’t do that without an extension. I would have to think that Detroit would have to know what Andersson would sign for before they would do that.”

The Flames aren’t officially sellers, but it feels like a matter of time before Andersson is moved. He is entering the final year of his six-year, $27.3 million contract, and Calgary has been open to listening on offers for the veteran blueliner. Otherwise, they risk losing him for nothing.

Friedman cautioned that a deal is not imminent. “The noise is starting to pick up,” Friedman said, adding that Yzerman would almost certainly want clarity on an extension before committing assets — just as he did with Hughes.

Andersson would be a significant addition. Andersson checks several boxes for a Red Wings team looking to solidify its top four ahead of a playoff push.

Jeff Marek of Daily Faceoff echoed the sentiment, suggesting Detroit is actively looking for a veteran top-four defenseman and that Andersson is “at least a point of interest.”

Would The Flames Try to Move Him Before the Olympics?

The timing could also matter. With the 2026 Winter Olympics approaching and roster freezes looming in early February, Friedman suggested the league could see a soft trade deadline before the Olympic break. Calgary may prefer to move Andersson sooner rather than later to avoid injury risk.

After missing on Hughes, the Red Wings haven’t backed off the market. Whether it’s Andersson — or another name like Dougie Hamilton — Detroit is clearly still chasing a difference-making defenseman as it looks to end its long playoff drought and capitalize on its position atop the Atlantic Division.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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