You could not have asked for a better start to the season for the Calgary Flames. Even after their first regulation loss of the season Thursday night to the Carolina Hurricanes, the Flames hold a record of 5–1–1, much better than any of us expected to start the season.
There have been multiple reasons why the Flames have had a great start to the season: the fantastic goaltending between Dan Vladar and Dustin Wolf, unexpected offensive contributors up front, and the stout defensive structure they have shown through the first seven games. However, one reason stands above the rest, and that is the unbelievable play thus far from Rasmus Andersson.
Andersson is having the best start to a season he has ever had, and it is quite frankly not close. He has been the team’s best player early on, and it has only raised more questions about his future with the Flames. Is it time to sell high? Or will it be just another reason to try and get an extension done when he is eligible for one on July 1?
Andersson’s hot start
Andersson has been on a heater to begin this year. It started with a massive goal that sparked the comeback against the Vancouver Canucks in the season opener, and it has continued as he has been piling on the points. His nine points through seven games have him second among all defencemen, trailing only Cale Makar. Not too shabby if you ask me.
Now, I do not think Andersson will continue to play at a 105-point pace all year long, but this may be the season where he can crack the 60-point threshold for the first time in his career. Andersson is playing assertively and taking control of the game in every facet; he is becoming the true leader of the club.
The offence is just one part of the story. Andersson’s defensive game has also been in top form. Paired with newcomer Kevin Bahl, Andersson has been trusted in every situation by head coach Ryan Huska. He is playing on the team’s top penalty-killing unit, is out there for every key offensive and defensive situation, and is logging the most minutes on the team.
This is the best hockey that Andersson has played thus far in his career, and it is not even up for discussion. With how much turnover there has been on the roster and with some guys not playing up to their potential, it is super encouraging to see Andersson take a massive step forward and play with so much emotion. Between the fire he has been playing with to staring down the opposition’s fanbase after scoring a goal, he has been a treat to watch so far this season.
How could this affect Andersson’s future as a Flame?
There were reports before the season kicked off that if the season did begin to go sideways, we could see Andersson moved for more future assets. With how well the season has begun for both the team and Andersson as an individual, I don’t anticipate those rumours catching fire again. If anything, it will probably put it to rest until at least the offseason.
Andersson will become eligible to sign a contract extension come July 1, 2025. As it stands right now, I would have to guess that Craig Conroy and the rest of the management team would prefer to sign Andersson as opposed to trading him, and they absolutely have the right to want to keep him around. He is a leader both on and off the ice, has been one of the team’s most important players for the last seven years, and is a fan favourite.
Even if fans are on the side of rebuilding the team—despite the great start—I can understand being sick of seeing long-time Flames moved for futures. If there’s a deal that makes sense for both the team and the player, I see no reason as to why Andersson won’t be around long-term.
However, the Flames have a pipeline of young right-handed defencemen coming up through their system. Zayne Parekh, Hunter Brzustewicz, and, to a lesser extent, Henry Mews are all expected to be NHLers. For Parekh and Brzustewicz, sooner rather than later.
With MacKenzie Weegar around for the long haul and with how the team feels about the upside of Daniil Miromanov, they’ll have a logjam on the right side. Now, will any of these guys become what Andersson is? It is hard to tell, but you don’t want to put yourself in a position where there is no room for younger players in the lineup because of guys that are older and signed long-term.
Andersson is on a sweetheart deal and would command a ton on the trade market. I’m not advocating that the Flames should move on from him; I would actually love it if the Flames signed him to a long-term extension. However, Conroy wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t look at all of his options. Exploring the trade market on Andersson is something he should, at the very least, consider.
Will the good times continue?
Whether the Flames continue to win or not, Andersson’s season will be something very interesting to continue to follow. He has been a rock to start the year, and he has been so much fun to watch as he continues to score goals and troll the opposition.
I don’t think now is the time for us fans to start to speculate on his future. Instead, we should just enjoy the hockey we are getting out of Andersson. The hope is he can continue to play as well as he has been and not hit a wall as we enter November.
