What the Calgary Flames should do with defenseman Rasmus Andersson as the NHL trade deadline approaches The NHL announced the Calgary Flames [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/calgary-flames/] Quarter-Century teams on Jan. 11, featuring several memorable names in franchise history. Today, we want to examine Rasmus Andersson's tenure with the club and his credentials for the Flames' second team. Initially drafted by the Flames in the second round (53rd overall) at the 2015 Draft, Andersson has played his entire nine-year career in Calgary. Recently, he played his 503rd game, becoming only the 22nd player in franchise history to reach the mark. Andersson debuted for one game during the 2016-17 season before dressing for ten in 2017-18. He was pointless in his first 11 games but recorded 19 in his first full campaign in 2018-19. At 22, Andersson scored two goals and 19 points in 79 games that year, recording a plus-17 rating. The following year, he tallied five goals and 22 points while collecting a career-high 57 penalty minutes. By 2020-21, Andersson began playing over 20 minutes a night, scoring five goals and 21 points. During the Flames run to the Pacific Division title in 2021-22, he played the entire season for the second straight campaign while earning a career-high 50 points and a staggering plus-30 rating. Jan 13, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (4) looks to pass the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyMjIzODI2MjQxNTI5MzUz/andersson.jpg] Jan 13, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (4) looks to pass the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Following his career year, Andersson's totals have dropped despite an increase in scoring. In 2022-23, he scored 11 goals, the only time he's reached double digits, finishing the year with 49 points. Last year, he scored nine goals and 30 assists, but his overall point total dipped by ten to 39. Meanwhile, after two seasons of being a positive plus/minus player, he was minus-11 while doubling his penalty minutes. Through 48 games in 2024-25, Andersson has seven goals and 19 points but is already minus-11. According to projections at Elite Prospects, the 28-year-old is on pace for 12 goals and 33 points but a potential career-worst minus-19. During Andersson's nine seasons with the Flames, these are his totals and ranks among players over the past 25 years: * undefined * undefined * undefined * undefined * undefined * undefined * undefined * undefined * undefined * undefined * undefined * undefined Despite having a season and a half left on the six-year deal he signed in 2020, Andersson's name has popped up in rumor circles as a potential player the Flames could trade around the Mar. 8 NHL Trade Deadline. Whether or not Andersson finishes his contract or career with the team that drafted him, there's no denying his contributions on the Flames blueline for almost a decade. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjEyMTg1MzcxNTIwMjgwMTky/thncgynews.png]
