Why Flames should consider trading Rasmus Andersson ahead of draft

CALGARY – Craig Conroy has a bit of a streak going that he’d be wise to continue.

In each of his first two seasons as the Calgary Flames’ GM, he’s made draft-week trades, cashing in on veterans who were one year away from unrestricted free agency.

Two years ago it was Tyler Toffoli.

Last year it was Andrew Mangiapane.

This year it should be Rasmus Andersson.

And with the draft just a few sleeps away, the move should be made in time to acquire a draft pick or two to be used as early as Friday night or Saturday.

Andersson’s fate as a Flame was sealed last week when, after the two sides exchanged thoughts on what a possible contract extension would look like, it became crystal clear the gap is insurmountable.

Understandably, and predictably, so.

As the Flames’ top minute-muncher and chief shot blocker, Andersson has every reason to be demanding the sort of top dollar deal several teams will be clamouring to pay next summer when the cap goes up again and his considerable talents are offered up to all 32 teams.

He’s willing to gamble on himself, demonstrating the former 50-point man is a much better player than his 31 points and minus-38 last season might otherwise suggest.

His is a price (and maximum term) the Flames aren’t willing to come even close to, given Andersson will be 29 next summer, and the retooling Flames are still at least a few seasons away from building what anyone might consider to be a contender.

They’ve also got a pair of hotshot right-handed defencemen in Zayne Parekh and Hunter Brzustewicz who are tabbed as the future of the team’s right side, alongside MacKenzie Weegar.

And so, as seemed inevitable when Andersson made what felt a lot like a farewell media availability two months ago, the two sides will move on.

It’s in everybody’s best interest to make it happen before a very-centre-heavy draft starts Friday, improving the team’s chances of adding another middle-man they can start developing.

None of this is to suggest a knee-jerk reaction to last week’s contract talks is the play, as getting the most for a proven, inexpensive, heavy shooting, right-shot defender is paramount.

Given what Andersson brings as part of his six-foot-one, 202-pound package, there are no shortage of teams interested in the services of a top-pairing defenceman entering his prime, and being paid just $4.55 million next season to do it.

After all, we’re talking about Sweden’s captain at the recent world championships.

Andersson is armed with a six-team no trade list, which undoubtedly includes division rivals Edmonton and Vancouver of whom he joked, “I hate the Oilers, I hate the Canucks and that’s just the way I am.”

It’s that sort of snarl that adds to his appeal as a leader in demand. 

As a pure one-year rental he’s an attractive commodity, but for those interested in locking him up long term with a sign-and-trade deal, the pot could get sweetened.

That’s what could take some time.     

But with teams around the league already two months into their off-season planning, surely those interested have long been prepared to delve more into what possibilities there might be in terms of adding one of the more passionate players in the loop.

Teams around the league in search of shoring up their right side have long been aware Andersson would likely be in play this summer.

It’s important to note that the current situation is not acrimonious, nor is Conroy under the gun to make a move of any sort until next season’s trade deadline at the very latest.

If the right deal can’t be found this week, or even this summer, Andersson is a pro who would continue to be one of the team’s emotional leaders to open next season, providing mentorship for Parekh.

But his presence would be the type of distraction Conroy has striven to avoid ever since the constant trade chatter surrounding other pending UFAs dominated the storyline two seasons back with Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov. 

There’s also the risk of injury to a lad whose 196 blocked shots last year were more than all but three players in the league. Remember, it was Andersson who played the final 12 games with a broken fibula suffered while absorbing a blast.

As a great example of how much more fruitful it is to cut bait on lads with one foot out the door, consider the trade last June that sent Jacob Markstrom to the Devils. 

Not only did it land Conroy's crew a cornerstone defender in Kevin Bahl and the first round pick they’ll use 18^th overall Friday night, but it opened the door for Dustin Wolf to finally get a chance to prove conclusively he’s the organization’s goalie of the future.

Three birds killed by sending one frustrated stone east.

It also ended needless drama in the room and in the press.

An Andersson swap would add more depth to the Flames prospect ranks and give even more ice time and opportunity to Parekh, who is a shoe-in to start the season in the bigs due to his ineligibility to play in the AHL. 

Andersson wears a letter on his jersey and has been one of the organization’s most impactful second-round development stories in decades, but by essentially being forced to cash in on him is a golden opportunity for a team looking to retool by getting younger.  

Now is the time teams have the cap space and maneuverability to effect the sort of significant change that comes with acquiring a proven, heart and soul defender to your top four.

Half the teams in the league could use an upgrade on the right side like Andersson, including the ever-open-for-business Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators and the Buffalo Sabres, whose GM has been frank about his openness to trading the ninth overall pick. Given the fact six or seven impact centres are projected to go in this year’s top 10, surely Conroy has made an inquiry with Kevyn Adams, unless the Sabres are on Andersson’s no-go list.

Toronto could also be a landing spot, as Leafs GM Brad Treliving drafted Andersson and re-signed him to the team-friendly deal he would probably love employing the Swede at for at least one more year as part of his desire to change his team's DNA. 

Given the importance of maximizing this trade chip, you can understand if the patience that has been Conroy’s hallmark is exhibited once again while shopping Andersson.

But whether he makes this trade this week or later this summer, Conroy has to get it done before the fall when teams are out of cap space and flexibility.

It’s too important to wait any longer than that.