Interest in Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson is increasing
Elliotte Friedman on Monday’s edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast on Sportsnet was asked by Kyle Bukauskas about the Calgary Flames and the latest news on defenseman Rasmus Andersson.
NHLRumors.com Transcripts
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Kyle Bukauskas: “That brings us to Calgary and another defenseman in question, and Rasmus Andersson. So that conversation has been there this year, Elliotte, but probably wasn’t as loud as it could have been, partly because Andersson played quite well this year and the team started winning a lot more in December. So that calms things down here.”
But at the end of the day, this is a player whose contract expires this year. I go back to the Euro Tour when we were in Milan for a few days in August, and Mikael Backlund had the quote, the captain said, well, he’s going to be traded. We all know that, as if bracing themselves for what’s to come with one of their longest-tenured players, is there anything new on the Andersson and Calgary front?
Elliotte Friedman: “The one thing I just heard, and I heard this a little bit on Sunday, is that it seems like Calgary is getting a little bit more aggressive in trying to do something. I think it sounds like there’s a desire for them to do it before the Olympics, and teams know that.”
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There have been stops and starts here before, so I’m always careful. But there are times when it seems more active than other times, and one of those times is now. For example, if you look at Andersson’s game log, he’s playing a ton of minutes, and to his credit, he’s played extremely well this year.
I’ve seen him a number of times and I was very impressed, but Kyle, look back and look, he played 25 minutes in the win over Pittsburgh. He played 24 in the loss to Boston. He played 26 at home against Nashville. He had another 26 minute game right after Christmas and in the big win over Edmonton.
As if he plays a lot, as if there are no evenings off for this man. Like just watching, I think the lowest number of minutes I’ve seen the guy play here on my screen is 10:40. I see a 22:28, but that’s an overtime win in LA. But this is a guy who plays big minutes, and he’s going to play big minutes for Sweden in the Olympics.
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But like I said, I’ve heard there’s been a little more activity around him, and I think teams know the Flames are in a period where they would potentially like to make an appearance before the Olympics. It’s interesting. There was a post on social media this weekend that something was up in Detroit. Don’t know.
The only thing about it is that we talked about it Quinn Hughes. Like Hughes wanted to go to the Red Wings. They were one of the teams he was very interested in. But Steve Yzerman did not do so without an extension. So I would have to think Detroit would have to know what Andersson would sign for before they would do that.
So and Yzerman is such a safe, it’s hard to get a handle on what he’s actually up to. Don’t know. I didn’t feel like anything was that close. I just heard the sound start to get louder. And I think there are teams that would be interested in extending Andersson, but I don’t feel like anyone has permission to talk to him about it yet, but the noise is there.
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The sound is definitely picked up. And of course there has been a lot of interest in Andersson in the past. The Kings have it, and I still think Vegas is looking for another defenseman. Big win, big weekend for them. They beat St. Louis. They beat San Jose, like we said. But I still think the Kings are looking for another defenseman. And I wouldn’t be surprised if they were also circling Andersson.”
NHL Rumors.com Note: The Calgary Flames are on the verge of a sale, but the question is when. It could be soon. But the question is: what will teams be willing to give up to get him? Despite the distraction, Andersson played well. Nothing is off the table yet, but while the Flames may want to get this done sooner, others may want to see what happens to him at the Olympics.
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