As the 2025-2026 season progresses, more trade rumors will undoubtedly surface. The Calgary Flames are currently last in the NHL and there have already been trade talks regarding the future of certain veterans on the team.
Rasmus Andersson is a player who will be traded at some point. The 29-year-old defenseman will undoubtedly generate a lot of interest around the league as he would be a great addition to any contending team’s blueline. While several teams were already in the mix, a recent report has taken hockey Twitter/X by storm. According to one source, the Toronto Maple Leafs are strongly interested in acquiring Andersson. Could the Flames be looking to trade perhaps their biggest trade chip to the Leafs?
Leafs are very interested in pursuing Andersson
As mentioned, this bombshell of a report came from former Leafs player Jay Rosehill. Previous reports from other insiders have also suggested that the Leafs have had interest in Andersson since last season, as they apparently made an attempt to acquire him around last year’s trade deadline. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, especially since Leafs GM Brad Treliving knows the player exceptionally well.
The Leafs are currently in big trouble as their record drops to 8-8-2. Given the pressure the team experiences every season, would Treliving be forced to make a move? After all, Andersson would be a nice addition to the team’s top four, but let’s explore this idea further.
What assets does Toronto currently own?
When Andersson is inevitably traded, the Flames will want quite a bit in return. The first thing you’ll notice, though, is that the Leafs’ asset cupboard is bare.
Starting with draft choices. The Leafs don’t have a first-round pick until 2028. As with other draft picks, they only have a 3rd, 5th, and 6th in 2026. They also have a 2nd in 2027.
The prospects are bleak. Toronto’s top prospect right now is Easton Cowan. The 20-year-old has played ten games for the Leafs so far this season, recording four points. Would the Leafs be willing to give up Cowan in an Andersson trade?
For roster players, I don’t see any players who would be involved in an Andersson transaction. There are players like Max Domi, Brandon Carlo, Nick Robertson and Matias Maccelli who have been in the trade rumors, but would the Flames be happy with any of these players being part of Andersson’s return? I doubt it.
As it stands now, if the Leafs are serious about pursuing Andersson, they’ll either have to get creative or be okay with parting with a key asset in their pipeline.
What would the Flames want in return?
When it comes to an Andersson trade, the Flames want at least a first-round pick and a prospect. Looking at the assets I mentioned above, that means the Flames will have to settle for Toronto’s 1st in 2028. Would they be willing to acquire an asset that far down the road? Essentially, they would be acquiring a 15-year-old.
As for the prospects, as I said. I really don’t see the Flames being interested in another player in Toronto’s pipeline besides Cowan.
This would be a difficult transaction for both parties
If you haven’t noticed yet, I personally can’t see these two teams making such a big trade. Simply put, the Leafs don’t have the resources to get a deal done. Their prospect pool is barren, and their next 1st comes in three years. The Leafs could acquire assets to get this deal done, but I don’t know how they would do that.
There is also the “Toronto tax”. It’s no secret that the Flames owner has hesitated to do business with Treliving since leaving the organization. That said, if a trade were to happen between these two teams, the Flames would demand a lot. Even then, it’s unlikely the owners would be willing to consider Treliving as their first option.
Here is a mock deal I would personally want if a deal for Rasmus Andersson were to happen between these two teams:
To Toronto: Rasmus Andersson (with extension)
To Calgary: Easton Cowan, 2026 3rd, 2028 1st
To me, a Leafs return must first include Cowan and their 2028. Even then, the return isn’t exactly the best for the Flames, as Cowan would only add more to their forward logjam.
In my opinion, other teams in the league could offer a better return for the Flames. Andersson should have been fairly traded at last year’s trade deadline, where his value was the highest it has ever been, or a deal should have been made this offseason. Either way, the Flames are in a delicate spot now and can’t afford to drop the ball when it comes to capitalizing on Andersson’s value.
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