As the 2025 NHL Draft nears, trade rumors are picking up, and Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson is once again at the center of attention. While no deal was made at the last trade deadline, interest in him hasn’t faded.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly back in the hunt. With Andersson heading into the final year of his contract and the Flames committed to a rebuild, a trade seems inevitable. Multiple teams are reportedly in the mix, with Toronto emerging as a potential frontrunner.
Flames Face Crucial Call on Andersson Ahead of Draft
Andersson is entering the last year of his six-year, $27.3 million contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer at age 29. That leaves Calgary in a tough spot: either negotiate a new deal now or move him before they risk losing him for nothing.
Recent reports suggest contract extension talks between Andersson and the Flames haven’t gone well, with a wide gap between the player’s demands and what the team is willing to offer. As a result, an offseason trade now appears likely.
Toronto had serious interest in Andersson at the previous deadline and could return to the table. The Leafs are still looking for a dependable right-shot defenseman, and Andersson would be a strong fit.
Standing 6’1″ and weighing 202 pounds, Andersson brings size, toughness, and top-pairing experience. Despite a down year—31 points and a minus-38 rating—he’s just one season removed from a 50-point performance and remains one of the NHL’s most reliable shot blockers and heavy-minute defenders.
From Calgary’s point of view, now is the right time to move him. With the team in a rebuilding phase and not expected to contend soon, they’re better off collecting assets for the future. They also have promising young right-handed defensemen like Zayne Parekh and Hunter Brzustewicz on the rise, along with MacKenzie Weegar already anchoring the blue line, making Andersson’s long-term role with the team uncertain.
With the upcoming draft rich in center prospects, the Flames may look to use an Andersson trade to acquire a high-end center—possibly before or during the draft. That aligns with Calgary’s longer-term goals.
Other teams such as the Dallas Stars, Nashville Predators, and Buffalo Sabres are also reportedly monitoring Andersson. Buffalo, which owns the ninth overall pick and is exploring trades, could be a particularly strong trade partner—assuming they’re not on his no-trade list.
Andersson is essentially betting on himself heading into free agency. His all-around game and reasonable $4.55 million cap hit make him a highly appealing target for contenders needing help on the back end.
For Calgary, the clock is ticking. And for teams like Toronto, this may be their best shot to land a proven top-pair defenseman before the bidding war begins.
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