Top insider reveals $27,300,000 Flames D-man may consider Maple Leafs extension if trade goes through

The NHL trade chatter has turned toward Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson in the wake of the Quinn Hughes blockbuster with sources indicating the veteran blueliner could be on the move before the March 6 trade deadline.

TSN’s Hockey Insider panel of Chris Johnston, Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger weighed in on the latest potential moves thai week noting that Andersson has drawn renewed interest from multiple teams since the Hughes deal went through.

During the conversation, LeBrun mentioned that top-four defensemen like Andersson don’t hit the trade market often this late in the season which makes him a good option for contending teams.

“What is going to be interesting is how the Flames handle that potential trade,” LeBrun said. “Do they move him as a traditional rental pending UFA, or involve his agent Claude Lemieux in a potential sign-and-trade to maximize return?”

Among the teams circling back on Andersson is the Toronto Maple Leafs who reportedly explored a deal for him at last year’s deadline. LeBrun added that if a trade between Calgary and Toronto were to come together, Andersson could be open to signing an extension with the Leafs.

“We know the Leafs tried to trade for Andersson last year at the deadline,” he said. “And why I mentioned Toronto is that my understanding is that the Leafs would be one of those teams that perhaps Andersson would consider extending with if in fact a trade would work out between those two teams.”

Currently under a six-year, $27,300,000 contract through the end of the 2025‑26 season, Andersson has been a reliable contributor for the Flames playing top-four minutes and producing offensively from the blue line with seven goals, 15 assists and a plus-minus of +3 so far in 33 games this season.

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Insider shuts down contract hopes for Rasmus Andersson

Rasmus Andersson is easily one of Calgary’s most valuable trade assets approaching the deadline. Despite ongoing speculation about his future in Calgary, NHL insider Darren Dreger made it clear last week that a contract extension was no longer realistic.

Speaking on Flames Nation, Dreger said that there is “zero chance” of an extension indicating that both sides were effectively waiting for the right moment to part ways.

"It's probably a poker game, but neither side wants to officially say that," Dreger said. "All right, the ship has sailed here in Calgary. There is zero chance of an extension. We're just waiting out for the best opportunity to move a valued asset across the league in Rasmus Anderson... It does to me, but nobody that matters has said that with any sort of official context."

The market for comparable defensemen is shrinking. Recent extensions for players such as Ryan McDonagh and Mike Matheson, along with the expectation that John Carlson would remain in Washington reduced the number of potential suitors.

"So that just shrinks the pool for Rasmus Anderson in a big, big way," Dreger said. "So you know, the game of poker, as far as Conroy is concerned, will continue to get played until he kind of says, All right, we're not entirely sure when we're going to move him."

Flames general manager Craig Conroy was reported to be taking a patient approach. According to Dreger, Calgary had not set a firm asking price or established a clear timeline and had not formally invited final offers.

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Edited by Anjum Rajonno