Trade trees are always fun to look at, because the moves you make today can impact an organization for years and years to come. There are always lots of turns and twists. For example, the Curtis Glencross trade tree has branched out into nine assets that the Calgary currently have in their organization. With the Rasmus Andersson trade that took place yesterday, we have another fun trade tree to look at that will, no doubt, branch out for years to come. Let’s look at the Sven Baertschi trade tree:
The Sven Baertschi Trade Tree
Back in 2011, the Flames had the 13th overall pick. They used that selection to select winger Sven Baertschi. Baertschi was up and down through the Flames system and never really seemed to fit, so the Flames tested the market on him.
Trade #1: The Calgary Flames send Sven Baertschi to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2015 2nd rounder
The Vancouver Canucks decided to take a shot on the young winger and flipped Calgary a 2015 2nd-round pick at the 2015 Trade Deadline. Baertschi did have a few solid years with the Canucks, most notably a career high 18 goals and 35 points in 68 games in 2016-17, although he did fizzle out a few years later and ended up spending time between the NHL and AHL with the Canucks and Golden Knights. Baertschi last played professional hockey in 2022-23 with Bern SC in the Swiss league.
On the Flames’ end, they used that 2015 2nd-round pick to select Rasmus Andersson from the Barrie Colts of the OHL. Andersson spent an extra year in the OHL and two years in the AHL before joining the Flames full-time in 2018-19. He became a steady force on the backend, chirping opposing players and putting up a few points to go alongside that. It became clear this past summer that Andersson and the Flames were heading in two different directions. Andersson was subsequently moved to the Vegas Golden Knights after eight seasons with the Flames.
Trade #2: Calgary trades Rasmus Andersson (50% retained) to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a conditional 2027 1st, conditional 2028 2nd, Zach Whitecloud, and Abram Wiebe
A few years after trading for Noah Hanifin, Vegas acquired another defenceman from the Calgary Flames. The Knights were rumoured around Andersson last summer, and that interest continued until they could get a deal done yesterday. Andersson was sent to the Knights without a contract extension, but many already believe he will come to terms on an extension with the Knights soon.
Zach Whitecloud gives the team another defenceman that they can keep or flip for another asset or two later on. The Flames also add a defenceman in the college ranks in Abram Wiebe, who might progress up the organization in a few years. They also add a few high picks to the dart board in a few years.
In trading Sven Baertschi in 2015, the Flames got eight years of valuable service from the defenceman they selected with the acquired draft pick. From there, they churn that defenceman into four assets that will likely continue to branch out this trade tree for years to come.
How could the Sven Baertschi trade tree extend?
The Flames have two draft picks to either make or move, and with at least one being a first round pick, there is a decent chance that player could become an NHLer in time. What happens with that player could extend this tree further.
There are also rumours that the Flames are exploring the market on Zach Whitecloud, and with how the team is performing, there is a chance they could get a decent return for the Brandon, Manitoba-born defencemen. That would further extend the tree.
Perhaps most interesting to watch is whether the Golden Knights extend Rasmus Andersson or if he elects to sign elsewhere this July. The pending free agent is expected to sign in Vegas, but if he finds a better deal elsewhere, does Vegas try to trade his signing rights away to that team in exchange for another asset, thus spreading the tree further? Only time will tell.
While this trade tree doesn’t have as many limbs as others, there’s a good chance that it gets there. With multiple pieces in play, this could get complicated in time.
Summarized Sven Baertschi trade tree:
13th overall pick in 2011 -> Sven Baertschi -> 2015 2nd rounder -> Rasmus Andersson -> cond. 2027 1st, cond. 2028 2nd, Zach Whitecloud, Abram Wiebe
