Flames GM Reveals His Plans for Rasmus Andersson

After dealing off some big names last season like Noah Hanifin, Chris Tanev and Elias Lindholm, many figure the Calgary Flames are going to ship out more veteran talent this season, and Rasmus Andersson's name has been floated on the rumor mill.

The difference, however, between Andersson and those other three names is that the Swedish D-man is a Calgary Flame through and through. Drafted by them in 2015 (2nd Round, 53rd overall), and having spent his entire nine-year career with the team.

Now, he's the undisputed horse on the Flames' blueline, being relied on for over 24 minutes a game for the second time in three seasons (and 23:50 last year). He'll be eligible for an extension this summer, as he'll have just one year left on his six-year, $4.55 million deal.

Will Calgary extend Andersson, or trade him? Jimmy Murphy reports in rg.com that his name is coming up in trade discussions, but GM Craig Conroy doesn't seem to have any inclination to deal him.

Rasmus is definitely a player I can see long-term for us. And again, some of this decision is up to him. But I do know, talking to him, he really loves Calgary.
He's homegrown, and he's playing great for us. He's super competitive and wants to win... He loves being a Calgary Flame. That's a good thing. When you have a player who likes the market and wants to be there, you try to get that guy signed. And he's at a great age.

The 28-year-old right-shot D is still young enough to fit into the next contending Flames team, which Conroy is earnestly working on.

Andersson is having another stellar season, averaging 24:40 of ice time, and registering 11 points in 18 games along with 59 blocked shots (he had 186 last year, and is already a third of the way there.)

Don't expect Conroy to trade Andersson, unless the offer completely bowls him over.