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Edmonton Journal
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Are Flames and Rasmus Andersson heading for a messy break-up? Five burning questions
Article content Rasmus Andersson is now officially in the final year of his contract with the Calgary Flames. There was no news of an extension on Canada Day. Article content Not that anybody was expecting it. Not anymore. It seems inevitable that the 28-year-old Andersson will be traded away. The biggest question now — beyond the when and maybe the where — is how messy the break-up will be. The Flames fan base is fuming after the insiders reported there were some compelling trade offers for Andersson during draft weekend, but that those would-be suitors were scared off because the righty rearguard wasn't interested in signing long-term in their city. Article content If you scan social media, it's easy to find accusations that Andersson is about to 'pull a Hanifin.' (For those who don't understand the reference, more on that in a moment.) 'Here's the thing that is making that situation complicated … ' said Pierre LeBrun on TSN's Insider Trading. 'Rasmus Andersson only wants to sign an extension, it's our understanding, with the Vegas Golden Knights.' If true, that leaves Flames general manager Craig Conroy in quite a pickle. Asked Tuesday if he has received any indication from Andersson, who can list just six teams in his no-trade clause, that he is only willing to go to one destination, Conroy stickhandled smoothly. 'Right now, he's totally fine with playing for the Calgary Flames,' Conroy replied. 'That was the last conversation. And he's always said that, he's a Calgary Flame. When he comes back in September, he'll say the same thing to you guys — 'I love it here, I'm a Calgary Flame.' Article content 'It's all the speculation … And hey, everybody has a job, everybody has to do it, but until something is done, nothing is done. You have seen guys (Tuesday) that maybe you think weren't going to re-sign with their team and they did re-sign with their team. It happens.' Back in September, you say? Could still re-sign, you say? As we wait for the next twist or turn, here are five burning questions on what will remain the biggest storyline around the Flames … What can be learned from the history with Hanifin? As Conroy was unloading a handful of pending free agents during the 2023-24 campaign, his first as general manager of the Flames, there was optimism that his most valuable trade chip would be Noah Hanifin, an in-his-prime defenceman with elite skating ability. Instead, it turned out to be Conroy's most disappointing deal so far. Why's that? Article content Article content In the lead-up to the trade deadline, word circulated that Hanifin was only willing to talk contract with a very short list of teams. Many believed that it was Tampa or bust, although he was apparently also open to joining his close pal Jack Eichel in Sin City. Backed into a corner, Conroy had to settle for an underwhelming offer from the Golden Knights. While the Flames did receive a first-round pick, to be cashed next summer, the only roster addition was Daniil Miromanov. He has not made much of an impact at the Saddledome and may not even have a regular role next winter. Hanifin seems to be loving life in Las Vegas, where he extended just a few weeks after arriving and is now collecting an annual salary of US$7.35 million. What could the Golden Knights offer for Andersson? This is a big part of the problem. The Golden Knights are always aggressive on the trade market, and GM Kelly McCrimmon hasn't hesitated to part with future pieces. That means that the cupboards are relatively bare. Article content As noted above, the Flames already own the Golden Knights' first-round swing in the 2026 NHL Draft. Maybe their 2027 could be in play. The Golden Knights' top pick this past weekend was Swedish forward Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, selected in the second round at No. 55 overall. The Flames were up at No. 54 and instead opted for Theo Stockselius. They might like Ihs-Wozniak. But if they loved him, wouldn't they have called his name then? Conroy will challenge his scouts to identify the best up-and-comers in the Golden Knights' pipeline, but it does seem like the pickings are slim. (If you're wondering how Vegas could possibly afford Andersson, especially after signing Mitch Marner to an eight-year doozy, the answer to that one starts with the latest on Alex Pietrangelo. Their highest-paid defenceman at US$8.8 million, Pietrangelo will not suit up next season due to ongoing health issues. He will land on LTIR.) Article content Is Andersson hesitant to sign a new deal this summer? We have been wondering about this since locker clean-out day at the Saddledome, when Andersson admitted he didn't have the best bargaining power after posting one of the worst plus-minus ratings in the NHL (-38) and his lowest point total (31) since the COVID-shortened slate. As he put it that day: 'If we think about it, point-wise and me chewing on minuses every night, it's not my best season. Is it smart for me to sign?' How is he feeling about that now? Probably a bit better after Tuesday's free-agent frenzy, when Vladislav Gavrikov scored 7×7. Thing is, Andersson might still prefer to bet on himself, hoping to prove in the early stages of next season that he deserves more loot than what would currently be on the table. His salary for 2025-26 is already locked in at US$4.55 million. Article content Is it possible that we're only getting half the story, that it's not just about picking his spot but rather putting himself in position for a prime payday? Turning 29 in late October, this has to be his home run contract. How does Conroy gain leverage in trade talks? Not everybody will like this answer but … be patient. If the Flames aren't all that enthused by what the Golden Knights are currently offering — Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported after the draft that they made a pitch 'but could not get it done' — and if Andersson is indeed zeroed in on Nevada, what choice does Conroy really have? There is, of course, risk involved in waiting it out. Andersson was credited with 196 blocked shots in 2024-25, the fourth-highest total in the league. An injury next fall or winter would be a disastrous development. But fast-forward to January, as the contenders are separating from the pretenders … Article content Would the Dallas Stars try to top the potential package from the Golden Knights, not only to bolster their defence but to keep him away from another top troupe in the Western Conference? What if the Carolina Hurricanes realize they don't have the right partner for Jaccob Slavin? What if the two-time reigning champion Florida Panthers accrue some bonus cap-space? Doesn't Bill Zito get whoever he wants? If any of those other organizations are in the bidding, would the Golden Knights at least be forced to sweeten their offer? Waiting doesn't guarantee anything, but it could be Conroy's best bet. What does Andersson owe the Flames? Legacy is a complicated thing, especially in the social-media era. The same fans who have been adamant about Andersson being moved are suddenly furious that he has a preference about his new neighbourhood. You can't necessarily have it both ways. Article content We cringe at the thought Andersson could someday be booed at the Saddledome, where he has led the locals in average ice-time for three of the past four winters. Remember that he played the final three weeks of their playoff push on a broken fibula. That's a guy putting his team first. So what more does he owe the Flames? If he's still on the roster on opening-night, he owes them the same sort of lay-it-all-on-the-line approach that has made a popular teammate and now makes him a popular trade target. Fans want what's best for their favourite squad. Can't fault them there. Andersson wants what is best for his career and his family. Can't fault him there. Could this still work out for both sides, or will it be a messy break-up? You'll have to stay tuned on that. Latest National Stories
Calgary Herald
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Are Flames and Rasmus Andersson heading for a messy break-up? Five burning questions
Article content Rasmus Andersson is now officially in the final year of his contract with the Calgary Flames. Article content Not that anybody was expecting it. Not anymore. Article content It seems inevitable that the 28-year-old Andersson will be traded away. The biggest question now — beyond the when and maybe the where — is how messy the break-up will be. Article content The Flames fan base is fuming after the insiders reported there were some compelling trade offers for Andersson during draft weekend, but that those would-be suitors were scared off because the righty rearguard wasn't interested in signing long-term in their city. Article content Article content If you scan social media, it's easy to find accusations that Andersson is about to 'pull a Hanifin.' (For those who don't understand the reference, more on that in a moment.) Article content Article content 'Here's the thing that is making that situation complicated … ' said Pierre LeBrun on TSN's Insider Trading. 'Rasmus Andersson only wants to sign an extension, it's our understanding, with the Vegas Golden Knights.' Article content If true, that leaves Flames general manager Craig Conroy in quite a pickle. Article content Asked Tuesday if he has received any indication from Andersson, who can list just six teams in his no-trade clause, that he is only willing to go to one destination, Conroy stickhandled smoothly. Article content 'Right now, he's totally fine with playing for the Calgary Flames,' Conroy replied. 'That was the last conversation. And he's always said that, he's a Calgary Flame. When he comes back in September, he'll say the same thing to you guys — 'I love it here, I'm a Calgary Flame.' Article content Article content 'It's all the speculation … And hey, everybody has a job, everybody has to do it, but until something is done, nothing is done. You have seen guys (Tuesday) that maybe you think weren't going to re-sign with their team and they did re-sign with their team. It happens.'
Calgary Herald
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Amidst trade rumours, Flames GM says Rasmus Andersson could start next season in Calgary
Article content As trade speculation swirls, Calgary Flames fans would do anything for a glimpse at the call log on Craig Conroy's cell phone. Article content They'd love to know who has been inquiring about Rasmus Andersson, which rival general managers are angling to trade for the workhorse defenceman and what they're willing to offer in exchange. Article content Conroy isn't going to divulge those details, of course, although he confirmed that he did have one important conversation Thursday, on the eve of the 2025 NHL Draft. Article content Article content 'I talked to Ras this morning and we're all good,' Conroy said during an early afternoon media scrum at the Saddledome. 'If he's a Calgary Flame in September, he's a Calgary Flame.' Article content Article content There's no guarantee that Andersson will still be a Flame by the end of the weekend, though. Article content As he enters the final year of his current contract, it has been rumoured that the 28-year-old blueliner is ready for a change of scenery. Article content Despite posting a miserable minus-38 rating in 2024-25, Andersson can handle tough matchups, can contribute in the offensive zone and has a reputation as a strong voice in the locker room. He was selected as Sweden's captain at the world championship tournament. Article content Article content Article content Andersson also showed his toughness and competitive streak by playing the final few weeks of this past season with a broken fibula. He continued to rack up blocked shots, finishing fourth among all NHLers with 196. Article content Article content It's certainly possible that Conroy will receive a trade offer he can't refuse prior to (or during) Friday's first round of the draft. Maybe he's already mulling a couple of potential packages. Article content On Thursday, however, he was sending the rest of the league a message that he won't be rushed into a deal. A contract extension for Andersson seems unlikely, especially since the Flames have an impressive stable of defence prospects, but Conroy was adamant that 'we're never going to close a door.' Article content 'You gotta look at it — Ras has got another year on his contract,' Conroy reminded. 'There's nothing that I would say is going to happen or not going to happen. You know, we would never do it in the media anyways. We're just going to go about our business and try to make the team better, with the draft coming up and free agency.
