While it shouldn’t be a surprise that a player from a team in the neighbouring province dislikes the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames defenceman Rasmus Andersson made it quite clear on Friday that he doesn’t like either the Canucks or the Edmonton Oilers.
Sportsnet’s Eric Francis spoke with Andersson in a piece published on Friday, talking about the looming trade deadline and where he may end up. The Swedish defenceman made it quite clear where he doesn’t want to go.
“I love playing here and I’ve always loved playing here and that’s never going to change,” said Andersson in Francis’ piece. “I hate the Oilers, I hate the Canucks and that’s just the way I am. Of course I would love to stay here, but I’ve heard from everyone else who has been in my situation that it’s a business. So we’ll see what happens.”
Even with one year remaining on his contract beyond the 2024-25 season, Andersson has been mentioned in plenty of trade rumours as an asset the Flames could look to get value on if they’re looking to sell.
“I’ve got no say in it – I have a six-team no trade list, so it’s out of my hands,” Andersson said. “July 1 is when I can re-sign, and we’re in January. It’s all in [Craig Conroy] and [Don Maloney’s] hands what happens to me until my contract is up, unless we find a deal. It’s not like I’m sitting on a full no-move.”
The Flames may not be looking to sell anyone at the moment, as they currently have a 19-14-7 record, which is good enough for one point behind the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, which the Canucks currently hold.
Andersson will be a valuable commodity whether he stays with the Flames or gets moved to a new team. He’s having a slow season with just six goals and 12 assists for 18 points in 40 games, but he’s proven to be an excellent two-way defenceman in his career and, as a right-handed blueliner, will certainly have his fair share of suitors. It just probably won’t be the Canucks or Oilers.