The Calgary Flames are off to one of many worst begins of their franchise’s historical past. There have been commerce winds surrounding this workforce since final season. Regardless of the distractions, the Flames put up 96 factors and missed the playoffs on a tiebreaker. However this season, the distractions are louder, particularly round defenseman Rasmus Andersson, and that has actually harm the Flames mentally in the beginning.
NHL Rumors: The Calgary Flames Don’t Must Rush a Rasmus Andersson Resolution
Many thought the Andersson scenario could be resolved within the offseason, but it surely wasn’t. However GM Craig Conroy needed to provide his participant time to evaluate the whole lot. To not point out, Andersson was on the lookout for a bounce-back season. Nonetheless, the Calgary Flames wanted this example resolved, as there was an excessive amount of noise surrounding the participant within the offseason.
There was a perception that Andersson could be traded within the offseason. However Flames captain Mikael Backlund popping out and telling The Athletic that it was apparent the defenseman was getting traded. This was not the way you wish to enter coaching camp.
“Yeah, he’s getting traded. It’s apparent,” Backlund said to The Athletic’s Michael Russo. “However the workforce desires worth. He desires an enormous contract. So he desires to play effectively. The workforce wants him to play effectively. So, simply exit and play. I talked to him, too, and he doesn’t wish to be a distraction. So it’s all good. It’s too dangerous it’s come to this. I don’t suppose that they’re near getting an settlement or something, however you by no means know. Issues might change. We’ll see.”
The captain of the Flames set the tone instantly with the outlook on the season. Why ought to he say something about one other participant’s contract scenario? It’s only a dangerous look and reveals how a lot of a distraction this was, not just for the gamers, however for everybody concerned within the group. Everybody needed this example resolved earlier than the season began. Most thought it will be.
NHL Rumors: Is Time Winding Down for Rasmus Andersson with the Calgary Flames
Because the Voice of the Flames on Sportsnet 690 Derek Willis advised Sirius XM NHL Community this low season, he was shocked the deal wasn’t to commerce Rasmus Andersson, however he expects he will probably be wanted.
“I believe he’ll be very specific with the specified location, and the Flames, I’m positive, tried to barter effectively on their behalf. And the great factor is that he’s wanted. So yeah, I did count on it will have been finished personally. However that doesn’t imply it nonetheless can’t,” Wills mentioned. “It is perhaps a kind of extra precious on the deadline sort of state of affairs. So we’ll see. You recognize, Rasmus is being a professional, and if he’s right here when the season begins, he’ll compete identical to, however you realize, I’d count on they’ll in all probability nonetheless look fairly laborious earlier than the puck drops.”
However when coaching camp opened for the Calgary Flames, there was Andersson answering questions and stifling reports and rumours that he solely needed to go to the Vegas Golden Knights. He emphasised once more that he was dedicated to the Flames and needed to have a greater season than final yr.
However as Eric Francis of Sportsnet reported on Sirius XM NHL Community Radio, after Luke Hughes and Jackson Lacombe signed their new extensions at $9 million a season, Rasmus Andersson was additionally on the lookout for $9 million a season.
“Rasmus Andersson, I’m led to imagine, is on the lookout for about $9 million a yr. So begin the talk on whether or not or not, in the summertime when Rasmus Andersson is a free agent, if he might land that type of cash,” Fracnis mentioned. “Look, a rising tide holds all boats. I’m not saying he’s going to get it. I’m not saying he ought to get it. I’m simply telling you that when the low season talks have been on, I do imagine these have been the type of numbers he was taking a look at, as a result of they’re not trying to signal wherever till subsequent summer time, and by then, the cap could have gone up much more, so, who is aware of.”
NHL Rumors: Is Time Winding Down for Rasmus Andersson with the Calgary Flames
Once more, it was a distraction the workforce didn’t want in the beginning of the yr. Most of these distractions did within the New York Rangers. To not point out the mutiny in opposition to the overall supervisor. However GM Craig Conroy did job of transferring out gamers that didn’t wish to be there a few seasons in the past and received property for them. It began with Tyler Toffoli in the summertime of 2023. Then Nikita Zadorov, Chris Tanev, Elias Lindholm, and Jacob Markstrom all adopted. The Flames have been capable of get good property for these gamers.
It’s time as soon as once more to have the dialogue. Does Rasmus Andersson wish to be in Calgary, or does he not wish to be there? No matter facet of the coin he fell wanted a solution earlier than the beginning received underway.
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