The rumor mill are turning into a roar in the Stampede City. While the summer heat beats down, the Calgary Flames’ front office is feeling a different kind of pressure. The central question that has Flames fans on the edge of their seats revolves around top-pairing defenseman Rasmus Andersson.
The latest Rasmus Andersson news, according to Sportsnet’s Eric Francis, suggests the team has a strong preference to move the blueliner before training camp. Why the sudden urgency? It’s a calculated move to avoid a nightmare scenario: a significant injury that could decimate his trade value.
From an expert’s perspective, this is a classic asset management dilemma that defines a general manager’s career. Flames GM Craig Conroy is playing a high-stakes game of chicken. On one hand, waiting until the NHL trade deadline in March could theoretically drive up the price as contenders get desperate for a minute-munching, puck-moving defenseman like Andersson. On the other hand, every game played is another chance for something to go wrong, and Conroy knows it.
Reading Between the Lines of the Latest Rasmus Andersson News
Here’s my take: the risk of waiting far outweighs the potential reward. Andersson is set to become an unrestricted free agent next July, and the chances of an extension seem slim to none. This isn’t just about losing him for nothing; it’s about what his departure can bring back to accelerate the re-tooling of this roster.
Conroy has publicly stated he wants to maximize his return, and that’s the right thing to say. But the real tell is the “as long as possible” part of his statement. That’s GM-speak for “until I get an offer that I can’t refuse.”
The Clock Is Ticking: To Trade or Not to Trade?
Waiting until the deadline sounds patient, but it’s a gamble. A pre-season trade allows the acquiring team to integrate Andersson for a full season, which is a significant selling point that can inflate the return package. They get a full year of his services, not just a 20-game rental.
For the Flames, it means getting assets—likely a first-round pick, and a top prospect, or a blue-chip young roster player—in the door immediately. This allows Conroy and the scouting staff to begin their own evaluation and development process sooner. The pressure is on, and while the deadline offers drama, a move in the coming weeks feels like the smarter, more strategic play for the future of the Calgary Flames.
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The post Why the Calgary Flames Are Under Pressure to Trade Rasmus Andersson Now appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
