Flames' Andersson Will Look For Team To Showcase Talent Next Season

The Calgary Flames are likely going to trade Rasmus Andersson before his contract expires. This could even come if they are a competitive team next season. But the more likely scenario is that they are fighting for a playoff spot and don't want to be left in a position where the team keeps the pending UFA, the Flames miss the playoffs, and he leaves in free agency.

One way or another, there isn't a future with Andersson and the Flames. According to Elliotte Friedman, if the Flames trade Andersson at the trade deadline, he'll go to anywhere that's good. "You're just going somewhere you can fit in and showcase yourself."

It is safe to say that if Zayne Perekh doesn't make the Flames out of training camp, he will be with the team at some point next season. He is a future top-4 RD and could possibly already play there next season. Andersson just doesn't have a spot in the lineup in the future, so Calgary knows they have to get something for him or use him as their own rental.

By the time the trade deadline rolls around next year, all 16 playoff teams won't be anywhere close to being set. There will be certain teams with a big need for a defenseman like Andersson and others who will try to make it work. He will be one of the top trade candidates around the league if the Flames aren't firmly holding down a playoff spot and trade him.

Andersson has one year left on his deal at $$4.55 million AAV and the Flames have two retention spots left. If he is going to be traded to a playoff team, the Flames are likely going to have to retain, and that works out better for them considering the price tag will be even higher. He had 11 goals and 31 points last season while averaging 24 minutes per game and over two minutes on both the power play and penalty kill as well. He struggled with a -38 and an expected goals for % of 44, but is very likely to bounce back as that was an outlier of a season based on his career. We will see what the Flames end up doing with him next season.