Latest news with #Flames
Calgary Herald
an hour ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: When does Rasmus Andersson's future get sorted out?
Article content For teams around the league, Andersson's low-cost contract — he's only getting paid $4.55-million US next season — will make him an attractive option. That's especially true for teams who wanted to make a splash in free agency, but couldn't get their guy. Article content For the Flames, a deal in the summer also mitigates any risk of Andersson getting hurt and losing all his trade value in-season. Remember, this is a player who finished fourth in the NHL in blocked shots in 2024-25. Article content Dealing Andersson in the summer would also provide some clarity on the roster and avoid season-long questions about his future, so if the right deal comes along before training camp it might make a lot of sense to take it. Article content February 1 Article content Admittedly, Feb. 1 is a bit of an arbitrary day to choose here, but the point is that the Flames don't necessarily need to wait until the trade deadline to deal Andersson in-season. Article content Article content Remember, as an example, that they moved Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks on Feb. 1, 2023, after they were offered a package they liked in return. That same season, Nikita Zadorov was traded in early December and Chris Tanev was dealt a week before the deadline. Article content It's a matter of when the right offer comes in, not necessarily about holding on to your player until the last possible minute. Article content In an ideal world, Andersson has a great start to the season, gets selected to represent Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics and his value is at an all-time high when the Flames look to trade him. Article content Early March/Trade Deadline Article content If a new contract hasn't been agreed on and Andersson hasn't been dealt, the Flames will be hoping for a bidding war as the league's contenders look to load up for long playoff runs. It's likely where the best deal will materialize, but waiting this long definitely carries risks. Article content Article content For one thing, if the Flames can replicate the success they found in 2024-25 and are still in the playoff mix, it could be awkward to trade away a locker room leader and one of their top stars. As we mentioned earlier, there's always the risk of injury, too. Article content With that said, Andersson is going to be an attractive trade chip and teams get desperate around deadline time when their rivals start adding weapons to their roster. The rewards could absolutely be worth the risk. Article content At his introductory press conference, Conroy spoke about the lessons he learned when Johnny Gaudreau left the Flames as a free agent in 2022 and he has proven more than willing to deal away guys instead of losing them for nothing since taking over as GM. Article content
National Post
2 hours ago
- Business
- National Post
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: When does Rasmus Andersson's future get sorted out?
Article content For teams around the league, Andersson's low-cost contract — he's only getting paid $4.55-million US next season — will make him an attractive option. That's especially true for teams who wanted to make a splash in free agency, but couldn't get their guy. Article content For the Flames, a deal in the summer also mitigates any risk of Andersson getting hurt and losing all his trade value in-season. Remember, this is a player who finished fourth in the NHL in blocked shots in 2024-25. Article content Dealing Andersson in the summer would also provide some clarity on the roster and avoid season-long questions about his future, so if the right deal comes along before training camp it might make a lot of sense to take it. Article content February 1 Article content Admittedly, Feb. 1 is a bit of an arbitrary day to choose here, but the point is that the Flames don't necessarily need to wait until the trade deadline to deal Andersson in-season. Article content Remember, as an example, that they moved Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks on Feb. 1, 2023, after they were offered a package they liked in return. That same season, Nikita Zadorov was traded in early December and Chris Tanev was dealt a week before the deadline. Article content It's a matter of when the right offer comes in, not necessarily about holding on to your player until the last possible minute. Article content In an ideal world, Andersson has a great start to the season, gets selected to represent Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics and his value is at an all-time high when the Flames look to trade him. Article content Early March/Trade Deadline Article content If a new contract hasn't been agreed on and Andersson hasn't been dealt, the Flames will be hoping for a bidding war as the league's contenders look to load up for long playoff runs. It's likely where the best deal will materialize, but waiting this long definitely carries risks. Article content For one thing, if the Flames can replicate the success they found in 2024-25 and are still in the playoff mix, it could be awkward to trade away a locker room leader and one of their top stars. As we mentioned earlier, there's always the risk of injury, too. Article content Article content With that said, Andersson is going to be an attractive trade chip and teams get desperate around deadline time when their rivals start adding weapons to their roster. The rewards could absolutely be worth the risk. Article content
Edmonton Journal
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: The depth on defence
Article content As we go through every position in our Flames Retool Tracker series, the blue-line has always felt like it would be the most interesting week of the bunch. To get it started, here's a look at the organizational depth chart: The big question This isn't just the biggest question facing the Flames defence, it's going to be the dominant question surrounding the team as a whole until it gets sorted out. What do they do with Rasmus Andersson? The Swedish defenceman himself seemed to know that a long-term contract to stay in Calgary might not be forthcoming when he spoke with the media on garbage bag day. Not with guys like Zayne Parekh ready to break through soon. If a deal isn't worked out — and it seems unlikely — he'll have to be traded before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The return that GM Craig Conroy gets could be franchise-altering, even if Andersson underperformed in 2024-25. Is it best to move him this summer if there's a good offer on the table, or give him a chance to show he's back at his best before flipping him at the deadline?
Calgary Herald
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: The depth on defence
Article content No matter what way you cut it, the future of the Calgary Flames defence looks bright. Article content The team has loaded up in the NHL Draft over the last couple years and also has a few early-20s talents who could break through soon. In a couple years, there's potential for the Flames blueline to be pretty … dare we say spectacular? Article content This summer, though, the focus will be almost entirely on what they choose to do with one of their veteran leaders and how it impacts the NHL roster next year. Article content Article content Article content This isn't just the biggest question facing the Flames defence, it's going to be the dominant question surrounding the team as a whole until it gets sorted out. What do they do with Rasmus Andersson? The Swedish defenceman himself seemed to know that a long-term contract to stay in Calgary might not be forthcoming when he spoke with the media on garbage bag day. Not with guys like Zayne Parekh ready to break through soon. If a deal isn't worked out — and it seems unlikely — he'll have to be traded before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The return that GM Craig Conroy gets could be franchise-altering, even if Andersson underperformed in 2024-25. Is it best to move him this summer if there's a good offer on the table, or give him a chance to show he's back at his best before flipping him at the deadline? Article content Article content Next year Article content Article content Let's assume the Flames move Andersson this summer. What does the defence look like next season? Joel Hanley had a great year for the Flames, but he's an unrestricted free agent and just makes more sense elsewhere. Getting Kevin Bahl re-signed — he's a restricted free agent — is a priority and MacKenzie Weegar is a proven No. 1. The two of them are a nice foundation. After that? Parekh is too young to play in the AHL and it would be a total waste to send him back to the OHL for another year. He's going to be around. There will be inevitable growing pains, but the sky's the limit for him. The Flames will be wanting to see more out of Jake Bean, but he's a proven NHLer and you'd expect him playing most nights, while it's a crucial year for the 27-year-old Daniil Miromanov if he wants to stick around in the NHL and Brayden Pachal provides a reliable, physical option on the third pairing. The Flames are in pretty decent shape even without Andersson, especially as they'll be hoping one or two of the guys we're about to speak about take another step and push for NHL playing time.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
2 Former Flames Now Thriving With New Team
The grass isn't always greener on the other side. But, sometimes, it actually is. Case in point, former Calgary Flames forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett. It was the right decision for both players to be traded to the Florida Panthers – at least, for their sake. Advertisement Bookmark The Hockey News Calgary Flames team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. Stylistically, it's been the best fit for the two of them. Playing for the Panthers has allowed Bennett to carve out a successful niche for himself, and the addition of Tkachuk has allowed the team to become one of the top teams in the league today. Trending Flames Stories Why The Flames Should Stick With Rasmus Andersson Why The Flames Should Stick With Rasmus Andersson So for those wondering, Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff revealed on X that the Flames are considering keeping defenceman Rasmus Andersson. Advertisement Flames Would Make Big Mistake Trading Best Defender Three UFAs The Flames Should Ideally Sign This Summer Flames Would Be Much Better With Mitch Marner Flames Prospect Morin's Memorial Cup Campaign Ends In Defeat To Knights In Semi-Final 3 Flames Who Shouldn't Return In New Year 3 Flames Who Shouldn't Return In New Year Summers are the time for hellos and goodbyes. Panthers And Bennett Are A Match Made In Pest Heaven The Panthers are an aggressive team. They work hard along the boards, they dump and chase, and they aren't afraid to put a little extra mustard on a hit when they finish their checks. All of those attributes fit Bennett's primary skill set to a tee. Stylistically speaking, you couldn't ask for a better fit between player and team. Except for maybe one other player… Matthew Tkachuk Has Propelled The Panthers To Greatness Tkachuk was traded to the Panthers after Bennett was (it's weird to think about, I know). It's Tkachuk's third season with the team, and they are headed to their third straight Stanley Cup Final. Advertisement In the 28 years prior to his acquisition, the Panthers only reached the Stanley Cup Final once. While Bennett has been a great addition, it's easy to make the argument that Tkachuk brings some superstar qualities to the team that have pushed them to become one of the top three teams in the league over the past three seasons. Tkachuk and Bennett were great players with the Flames. However, they have become unanimous with the Panthers' brand of hockey and have transformed that team into one of the top teams to beat in the NHL. And they could win another Stanley Cup this year. It's safe to say that the grass is greener in Florida, at least for Bennett and Tkachuk. Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.
