Remember when the Utah Mammoth made a big splash at the 2024 NHL Draft by acquiring Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning? Well, this offseason, they could be in line to make another one by targeting Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames.
Utah already has six NHL-level defensemen, but adding Andersson would give them a legit top-pairing. He’s a right-handed shot, which makes him a natural fit next to Sergachev on the blue line.
Andersson, 28, is under contract for one more year at a $4.5 million cap hit. If the Mammoth do work out a deal with the Flames, there’s a good chance GM Bill Armstrong would want an extension in place right away.
The question is—who would Utah have to give up?
If the rumors are true that they’re preparing to take a big swing this offseason, there could be some surprising names floated. Tij Iginla would be a surreal piece to send back to Calgary, given his dad’s legacy, but it’s highly unlikely Armstrong parts with one of their top prospects. That likely puts the focus on players like Matias Maccelli, Michael Kesselring, and possibly one of Utah’s three second-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft.
For the Flames, that’s two NHL-ready players in Maccelli (24) and Kesselring (25), plus a quality pick. They’re in a spot where adding players who can help now—and still grow—makes a lot of sense.
From Utah’s side, they’d lose a skilled winger in Maccelli, but they have the depth to fill that hole. Kesselring is a tough one to move, but Andersson would be a major upgrade as a top-pairing defender. Adding in the second round pick in 2026, is to help sweeten the pot
If a deal gets done, Utah should look at a contract around $7.5 million per year over six years. That would take Andersson through the rest of his prime and solidify their blue line for the long haul.
