Quote:
Originally Posted by TOfan
I think the Flames have a real conundrum on their hands.
I think they do want to keep Andersson, especially if he’s willing to stay. I think the Flames, rightly so, place high value on impactful guys who want to stay.i also think they see Andersson as a pivotal piece to their leadership group.
On the other hand, his value is undeniable. Dealing him would immediately weaken the team and leave a gap that could be very difficult to fill even with several strong, or better, RHD prospects. On a sense he’s a bit like Bouwmeester. The minute you move him the minute you need to find a guy just like him. It could take years to fill that gap.
I think the determining factor here is, what does Rasmus want? A little over a year ago he was being discussed as a candidate to wear the C. On the other hand we’ve heard he wants to win.
I think this is right at the top of the list for interesting Flames stories this year. That and how do the young players/prospects develop.
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Fair enough. At 28, Rasmus is also young enough that he could be part of the team when it's back on the rise. And yes, the team has had a rough ride with guys demanding out, so you really do have to show loyalty to an impact player who makes a point of stating he wants to play.
I still think moving Rasmus is the easiest path to getting a #1 centre. A solid #2 d-man is hard to find, but not nearly as hard as a #1 centre. D-men tend to develop later, so those guys can frequently be found on the UFA market. Even Bouwmeester was picked up via trade as he was set to become a UFA. The Flames are very unlikely to see that same scenario play out when they are looking for a #1 centre.