It’d be on a high note: Flames, Andersson inching closer to possible end

The Calgary Flames appear to be getting closer to trading defenceman Rasmus Andersson, who will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end.

The Calgary Flames appear to be getting closer to trading away defenceman Rasmus Andersson.

There have been reports the organization and Andersson want to get it done.

Andersson will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, and he wants a long-term deal, but that’s something the Flames just can’t do with where they’re at.

Andersson’s future with the team has been in question for some time, and he has handled the situation with class.

“I can’t stress it enough how I’ve loved every second here, and whatever happens, happens,” Andersson said during the previous season’s year-end media availability.

“I understand that it’s a business and that it’s the business side of it, and it’s got to make sense for both sides.

“They have a number in mind and I have a number in mind. I don’t even know what the number is because I haven’t even thought about it for a second, honestly, within the last three months.”

Andersson said it wouldn’t be a distraction, and it hasn’t been—he’s having one of his finest seasons in Calgary.

He was named the NHL’s first star of the week in November after helping the Flames post their first three-game winning streak of the season.

At the time, he led the NHL with nine points (two goals, seven assists) over four games.

That week, the Flames posted wins over the Buffalo Sabres (6-2), the Dallas Stars (3-2, shootout) and the Vancouver Canucks (5-2).

At the time, the effort moved Calgary out of last place in the Western Conference.

Currently, Andersson has 29 points over the season, with 10 goals and 19 assists.

Over his career, he has 260 points, with 57 goals and 203 assists.

Even though a trade appears to be imminent, it will be sad to see him go.

And he’ll be sad to leave.

Andersson, from Malmo, Sweden, has spent his entire NHL career with the Flames, picked up in the second round of the 2015 draft and then gaining full-time employment in Calgary during the 2018-19 season.

Meanwhile, this week, the Flames were in Chicago on Thursday night to wrap up a five-game road trip.

They beat the Blackhawks 3-1.

Next, Calgary opens a five-game homestand starting Saturday afternoon.

The Flames will take on the New York Islanders, and the puck drop for that game will be a little after 1 p.m.

With files by The Canadian Press