The Calgary Flames finally moved Rasmus Andersson to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a first-round pick, a second-round pick (both picks have conditions), Zach Whitecloud, and the signing rights to prospect Abram Wiebe. In every trade, there are winners, and there are losers. Here’s how the Rasmus Andersson trade breaks down:
Winner: Rasmus Andersson
The real winner of this trade was Rasmus Andersson. Not only does he join the one team he was most interested in going to, but he also does so without having to commit to them long-term. The longtime Flame reportedly decided that he was unwilling to sign an extension at this point and is expected to test free agency. However, it’s likely he stays in Sin City long-term.
With the market for Andersson’s future reportedly hot, he has the opportunity to make even more money this summer than what was being offered as part of any deal, and he gets to choose his next location. How can you not see this as a win for the long-time Flame?
Loser: the Calgary Flames
Whether you want the Flames to push for the playoffs or tank for Gavin McKenna, the Rasmus Andersson trade is bad for the Calgary Flames. If you’re part of the former group, this move makes the Flames’ blueline much worse. Zach Whitecloud is a fine bottom-pairing blueliner on a good team, but when you have Yan Kuznetsov playing top pair on the Flames, this does not bode well for the team’s prospects this season (with due respect to Yan).
On top of that, Andersson was a heart and soul guy on this team, and losing his energy in the lineup is a big loss. The former second-round pick had been with the club for more than a decade, and losing his presence is one more piece of the last core that has moved on.
If you feel that tanking for a draft pick is the right direction for the team, this return is lacklustre. The Flames could have received much more for the top defenceman. If the Boston Bruins got a first, fourth, and one of the Leafs ‘ only top prospects for Brandon Carlo, the Flames getting what they did for Andersson feels underwhelming. Given the reports of what Boston offered and what the Flames could have received for Andersson last year, this deal is especially underwhelming.
But both sides should feel disappointed that Craig Conroy and the Flames’ brass are in this position again. The team let a pending free agent string them along, then decide their own outcome and force the Flames to make the most of that situation. Once is already one time too many; that this has happened is now a pattern.
At best, this deal is whelming for the Flames, but nobody should be thrilled.
Winner: The Vegas Golden Knights
Once again, the Flames walk into Calgary and walk away with a defenceman, leaving behind a first-round pick and a defensive prospect. The Knights are in their winning window, and adding the 29-year-old Andersson is just one more piece of their puzzle.
Nearly every impact player on the team is around 30, with Mark Stone and William Karlsson the exceptions at 33. This team is going to be competitive for the next few years, and although the Western Conference has a number of strong sides, you have to see Vegas as one of those teams both today and in the future.
Loser: Zayne Parekh
The assumption was that when the Flames traded Rasmus Andersson, it would make a space for Zayne Parekh to slide into the Flames’ right side. Instead, the team added Whitecloud, who slides right into that open slot.
With him joining, MacKenzie Weegar, Kevin Bahl, Brayden Pachal, Yan Kuznetsov, Joel Hanley, and now Hunter Brazustewicz, that’s seven blueliners already, not to mention the injured Jake Bean. This is a problem for Parekh, who will be done with his conditioning stint in less than a week. The Flames need to find a spot for him to get regular minutes. It makes no sense for him to sit in the pressbox, and unless the Flames make room by sending Brzustewicz and Kuznetsov down, it doesn’t bode well for Parekh’s chances of playing this season in the NHL.
Winner: The Calgary Flames’ scouting staff
Back in 2022, the Flames made just three picks, then made six of their seven picks the year after. But for the past two years, the team has made 18 picks, adding to their draft capital quite substantially. This year, they have the opportunity to make eight picks in each of the next three years.
The team’s scouting staff have done a very good job of finding talent, with Parekh, Cole Reschny, Cullen Potter, Ethan Wyttenbach, Matvei Gridin, and Henry Mews highlighting the group.
This is going to be a very deep draft, with two elite potential superstars right at the top of the draft. With this many lottery balls to play with, the team should have a chance to augment its already deep prospect pool. Finding an elite centreman should be at the top of their to-do list.
What’s next for the Calgary Flames?
With one of the toughest schedules remaining this season, the Flames are in for a challenging time down the stretch. Following the Rasums Andersson trade, how this team does is going to be interesting to watch. If they continue to perform, they may sneak their way into a playoff spot, but more likely, they find themselves languishing at the bottom of the standings and the top of the draft order.
