Calgary Flames defender Rasmus Andersson could be the next player moved

The Calgary Flames appear committed to a rebuild after trading off core pieces Noah Hanifin, Christopher Tanev, Elias Lindholm, and Andrew Mangiapane. Now, minute-eating defenseman Rasmus Andersson is drawing interest around the league. Will General Manager Craig Conroy cash in on another core member of the franchise?

Rasmus Andersson, a 27-year-old native of Sweden, produced nine goals and 39 points last season while leading the Flames in ice time, averaging 23:49 per game. Andersson is signed for two more seasons at a bargain cap hit of $4.55 million AAV.

If Calgary decides to move their top defenseman, it will likely be for a substantial return. Andersson has led the team in ice time for two consecutive years, playing a crucial role on the Flames' back end.

According to Puckpedia, the Flames have just under $21 million in available cap space and are interested in taking back salary in exchange for prospects and draft picks.

With the Flames at the beginning of their rebuild, they realistically won't be Cup contenders for a while. It may make sense to trade Andersson before he reaches free agency at age 30, where he could command a salary in the $8 million range on the open market.

As the Flames look to the future, cashing in on Andersson now could accelerate their rebuild and provide valuable assets for the coming years. The decision will hinge on whether the offers meet Calgary's high demands for one of their most dependable players.

Source: Blade of Steel
Calgary Flames Receiving Calls On defenseman Rasmus Andersson.