[TheScorpion]

Really interesting piece from Francis today talking about Andersson's future. If you believe Eric is the closest to the powers that be at CSEC, it sure looks like Rasmus is on his way out ...

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article...es-off-season/

Andersson, 28, should be looking to cash in on a long-term deal, using his position as a top-pairing defenceman who made Team Sweden as bargaining power.

The Flames are looking to continue building around a young core that should start to contend at a time when Andersson will be approaching the downside of his career.

Simply put, his value on the open market will far exceed what the Flames would consider paying him, short-term or long.

He will get paid next summer, but not here, not now.

Once the two walk away from extension talks with a clear understanding of the inevitable salary gap, Craig Conroy will have no choice but to look to cash in on a valuable asset via the trade market.

On Saturday, the two predictably left all their options open, but as the numbers start to get crunched, it will be increasingly clear that even though the Flames have cap space, it won’t be spent on Andersson.