Rasmus Andersson watch — Will he stay or will he go?

[traptor]

With the Habs in the playoffs and what feels like a need for another vet RD, I wonder if we might end up getting our pick back.

Flames 1st + Beck.

We get our 1st and a RS center with some potential. Feels like fair value.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Not sure if there is a team fit as far as a buyer but what if the flames offered a package like this at the draft:

Andersson (50% retained for next year) and extended
18th overall pick in 2025 draft (from New Jersey)

Is that enough to get a top 10 pick in the draft? Is it paying too much for a top ten pick especially in a draft that’s not considered to be as good as other recent drafts? Not sure if that package fits many teams with high picks this year even. I’m including the New Jersey pick because teams value draft picks so much at the draft. I’m trying to come up with a trade that gets the flames a pick in the top 10 and it’s becoming very rare for that kind of trade to happen. Maybe this is not the best draft to do it but it’s so difficult to ever get a trade done for a top ten pick and the flames are about to run out of players that could potentially be part of a package to get that done (and that the flames are willing to trade) - I think Andersson is likely the last vet that the flames look to trade that returns a first round pick (at least for a few years).

I could see maybe one of the following being willing to trade their pick but doubtful Andersson would waive his NTC for some of them let alone sign an extension:

Utah (picking 14th overall so they would for sure have to add)
Columbus (picking 13th overall so they would for sure have to add)
Detroit (picking 12th overall so they would for sure have to add)
New York (picking 11th overall so they would for sure have to add)
Anaheim (picking 8th overall so I think they might have to add)
Buffalo (picking 7th overall so I think they might have to add but not sure)

Don’t think anyone higher in the draft order would be interested in Andersson as he likely doesn’t fit the direction that those teams are heading in. The teams I listed above are either trying to get out of the rebuild or trying to avoid one. Trading for Anaheim or Buffalo’s first round pick gets the flames within range of potentially drafting Frondell, O’brien or McQueen. Not sure if it’s worth the risk or but the flames have plenty of depth players and complimentary players in the system. If they can snag a centre with the potential to be a top line or second line centre, it might be better to use the 18th overall + Andersson to acquire quality instead of quantity.

I glanced at the rosters to try and get a feel for which teams may or may not be interested in Andersson. This is my list of teams that I think would come knocking:

Playoff Teams

• Dallas – No cap space, would need to move out both Dumba and Lyubushkin to make room
• Lightning – Could definitely add him to stack their D next season and then have him take over for McDonagh. Not much to offer.
• Senators – Could add him to replace Hamonic next season and then Jensen the following season.
• Wild – Would replace Bogosain on the second pair immediately and then take over the top pair from Spurgeon as he turns 36, 37
• Hurricanes – Needs a couple of top 4 D
• Canadiens – Could add to replace Savard and bolster their top 4
• Panthers – Would upgrade their top 4

Building to Playoffs Teams

• Blackhawks – Definitely need to upgrade their D
• Red Wings – Could add to replace Petry in the top 4
• Sabres – Could use an upgrade on the right side to offset their stacked LD group (probably NTC restricted)
• CBJ – Could use an upgrade on the right side to push Gudbranson to the 3rd pair
• Sharks – Definitely needs top 4 D

My hope is that we deal with the second group as they are more likely to have what we need (C prospects) and not just offer 2026 late first round picks. Some of the first group do have interesting pieces but teams like the Lightning are pretty depleted.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Lewis_D

I wonder what the procedure would be if Arizona was on someones no trade list. I imagine it would just switch to Utah and then the player can use their discretion to waive that clause?

Players typically update their NTCs regularly, usually each summer.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Given how badly he wants to win, guesswork but I feel like he would move if its a strong team, good place to live and done in the summer where you gave him the time to resettle and showed respect - his NMC clause is gone after this season and so if he gets offered a move to a contender this year that wants him long run and is a nice place to live, it doesn't make a lot of sense for him to refuse only to get dealt wherever the flames feel like next summer, as his NTC only allows him to list 13 teams so there will be 18 markets for the Flames to deal with. It would absolutely gut the team on ice though.

It's just counter to everything we've heard (which is he has ZERO interest in moving). Now you are right, when the NTC becomes modified then things open up, but a 13 team list is pretty big. Savvy payers can construct the list to include teams they don't want to go to that are also realistic trade destinations. Teams not on the list can be those that aren't realistic based on cap considerations and/or where they are in the win cycle. So it still grants the player quite a lot of control.

But that element coupled with perhaps the Flames still being out of the playoffs makes it more realistic. In terms of cashing out now, to maximize his value though, I don't see it.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Wolven

Building to Playoffs Teams

• Blackhawks – Definitely need to upgrade their D
• Red Wings – Could add to replace Petry in the top 4
• Sabres – Could use an upgrade on the right side to offset their stacked LD group (probably NTC restricted)
• CBJ – Could use an upgrade on the right side to push Gudbranson to the 3rd pair
• Sharks – Definitely needs top 4 D

My hope is that we deal with the second group as they are more likely to have what we need (C prospects) and not just offer 2026 late first round picks. Some of the first group do have interesting pieces but teams like the Lightning are pretty depleted.

The problem with the 2nd list is that Rasmus wants to win now. So he'd have to believe those teams are ready to make that step, otherwise he won't have interset in re-signing.
To me that takes Buffalo, Chicago and SJ out.
CBJ and Detroit - maybe.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

If Rasmus is being allowed at the table to figure out where he's going to land that will limit our ultimate trade return, imo.

The acquiring team is going to want to know he has interest in re-signing with them. So that's why you involve him.
Otherwise it's a rental price.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

It's just counter to everything we've heard (which is he has ZERO interest in moving). Now you are right, when the NTC becomes modified then things open up, but a 13 team list is pretty big. Savvy payers can construct the list to include teams they don't want to go to that are also realistic trade destinations. Teams not on the list can be those that aren't realistic based on cap considerations and/or where they are in the win cycle. So it still grants the player quite a lot of control.

But that element coupled with perhaps the Flames still being out of the playoffs makes it more realistic. In terms of cashing out now, to maximize his value though, I don't see it.

It's a fair point that he could use the list of 13 to try and proactively block a trade but for me that's not enough teams to protect yourself... if you block good teams you could end up in a dumpster fire as am sure rebuilding teams who have already bottomed out would love a guy like that, if you block the bad teams a contender in a market he doesn't like could come in. Reality is it's got to be approached as a partnership though if the Flames are thinking of moving him by both Naz and the team acknowledging neither hold all the cards.

Next summer the balance of power swings over to the flames and so while I don't expect it to happen this year, I wouldn't write it off completely. A winning team in a decent place in the middle of their window comes in with a massive offer for him with a bit of retention and it might make sense for all parties.

You do need to keep some vets and he's a guy whose attitude seems to be top notch as far as modelling for the younger guys and he wants to be here too which is massive. Only reason I raised it is when you look at the roster he's the most valuable trade piece we have among the older players but I agree it's not something I'm expecting, but in a full rebuild/embrace the tank and go for McKenna scenario he should be the second guy out the door after Rasmus.

[Vinny01]

The timing of the Andersson extension and the current and future state of the right shot D in the organization makes this a perfect situation to continue the retool and not lock long term into an aging player but the opportunity to bring in some younger pieces.

Very similar to the Markstrom trade last year that netted the Flames 2 super valuable assets in Bahl and likely the 18th pick in the draft and were able to not skip a beat with Wolf stepping in. The Flames could move Anderson for some pieces to help elsewhere including hopefully a 25,26 or 27 1st and a younger piece and then Parekh could step in and fill the role Andersson played (possibly better like Wolf vs Markstrom)

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

The problem with the 2nd list is that Rasmus wants to win now. So he'd have to believe those teams are ready to make that step, otherwise he won't have interset in re-signing.
To me that takes Buffalo, Chicago and SJ out.
CBJ and Detroit - maybe.

I agree. CBJ and DRW could be the best trade partners for Andersson as they have assets that could fit the Flames' needs and both teams were sniffing around the playoff contention.

The Sharks could get into the mix if they can convince Andersson that they will take the steps needed to get into contention quickly. If they trade for Andersson as their new #1RD and then sign someone like Provorov to bolster their LD then that would push Ferraro and Liljegren to the second pair where they are likely better suited. Thrun and Thompson can then make up their 3rd pair. The rest of their D prospects would have time to mature and start pushing for roster spots in 2026 when all of the other vets contracts expire.

Their forward group could try to add a vet or graduate a couple more of their 1st round draft pick prospects (Bystedt, Musty, Kaut) or maybe even a second round pick (Chernyshov, Halttunen, Lund). Not to mention their pile of other prospects that they simply do not have room for.

The biggest upgrade to the roster may be Askarov, who is poised to be the next exciting rookie goalie when he graduates to the Sharks next season. That alone should be a huge upgrade over Georgiev's 7-19 this season.

I do not think it would be that hard of a sell considering how long they've been tanking and how many young stars they have acquired. Looking at the next 9 years I think they could convince him that they will be looking at multiple playoff runs with cup potential.

The real trick is that if the rumours are that they want to go to Ekblad as their first choice then it is unlikely they make a move at the draft to get Andersson as they would need to wait for July 1 to find out if Ekblad is possible.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Wolven

The real trick is that if the rumours are that they want to go to Ekblad as their first choice then it is unlikely they make a move at the draft to get Andersson as they would need to wait for July 1 to find out if Ekblad is possible.

This is why I can see Andersson being traded after July 1. There's only one Ekblad, and teams that miss out on him are going to be very interested in Plan B.

[D as in David]

How much does Kadri's Middle Eastern descent factor into his desire to control where he ends up? If I were in his shoes, I'd be leery of moving extended family to the U.S.

[InternationalVillager]

I want this player gone.

His obnoxiousness does not equal his skill level. He talks like he's a franchise cornerstone.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

I want this player gone.

His obnoxiousness does not equal his skill level. He talks like he's a franchise cornerstone.

How is he obnoxious?

[Lewis_D]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

I want this player gone.

His obnoxiousness does not equal his skill level. He talks like he's a franchise cornerstone.

Did Rasmus stare you down?

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by D as in David

How much does Kadri's Middle Eastern descent factor into his desire to control where he ends up? If I were in his shoes, I'd be leery of moving extended family to the U.S.

Kadri moved some portion of his extended family to Calgary. I doubt that is the kind of thing he wants to do multiple times to other cities, regardless of country.

But I would assume he and his family have no interest in moving to the US in light of recent developments. Even before the current mess, it would be very difficult to move one's extended family to another country.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Matty81

It's a fair point that he could use the list of 13 to try and proactively block a trade but for me that's not enough teams to protect yourself... if you block good teams you could end up in a dumpster fire as am sure rebuilding teams who have already bottomed out would love a guy like that, if you block the bad teams a contender in a market he doesn't like could come in. Reality is it's got to be approached as a partnership though if the Flames are thinking of moving him by both Naz and the team acknowledging neither hold all the cards..

The thing is will the Flames want to just dump him to any team if the return is crap. It’s unlikely unless they really need his capspace.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

I want this player gone.

His obnoxiousness does not equal his skill level. He talks like he's a franchise cornerstone.

Yeah, he's only the second longest serving active Flame, with a 200+ game lead on the next highest (Coleman). More games as a Flames than Vernon, Lanny, Conroy, etc.

[InternationalVillager]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

How is he obnoxious?

Originally Posted by Lewis_D

Did Rasmus stare you down?

I didn't like his tone in the end of season press conference. He's not a superstar yet tries to talk like one. This team was best served getting rid of Markstrom, Lindholm and will be with Andersson as well.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

I didn't like his tone in the end of season press conference.

Oh, well. We should get up a petition to Craig Conroy: In future, do not allow any player on the team unless InternationalVillager approves of his tone in press conferences.

[InternationalVillager]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Oh, well. We should get up a petition to Craig Conroy: In future, do not allow any player on the team unless InternationalVillager approves of his tone in press conferences.

Well - for one- he had a disastrous season. If he was even incrementally better, he would have helped the Flames make the playoffs. Second- if you have a season as bad as he had- you should have more humility up on the podium rather than talking about how 10% of the fans are #### and you don't care about those that turn on you blah blah nonsense.

BTW - this is a player who I followed ever since his junior days and was a big fan of as early as last season.

The ONLY message he should have delivered was that he wasn't good enough and is looking to be better next season.