If the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames pull off a trade this season, it sounds like Flames’ defenceman Rasmus Andersson will be involved.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun recently reported that Maple Leafs’ general manager Brad Treliving has circled back to the Flames regarding their pending unrestricted free-agent blueliner, and that begs the question – what exactly do the Maple Leafs have to offer?
There’s certainly a slew of variables to consider here, with the first being how the Flames will likely run a hard bargain on Treliving considering his history with the franchise. There’s also the fact there’s a ton of interest, so this could wind up being an overpay from the Maple Leafs, and you have to think that Conroy is going to want some NHL talent in return with the Flames opening up a new arena in the new future, and ownership not wanting to see a full tear down/rebuild.
If Treliving could include Matias Maccelli and his $3.4 million cap hit this season in this trade, you can bet your bottom dollar he would. He’d help balance out the finances, he’d be given a change of scenery in Calgary, a team desperate for some more offense, and with Maccelli being a pending restricted free agent, it gives Conroy some control to bring him back in 2026-27, at a much cheaper cap hit considering his production this year.
It’s going to take a whole bunch more to get Conroy’s attention. Prospect Ben Danford is likely someone the Flames ask about, and if you’re Treliving, he likely doesn’t include the organization’s best defensive prospect unless Andersson signs long term. The good news is that LeBrun feels the 29-year-old blueliner would be open to sticking around long term in Toronto.
“And why I mention Toronto is that my understanding is the Leafs would be one of those teams that Andersson perhaps would consider extending with, if, in fact, a trade could be worked out between those two teams.”
With the Maple Leafs having limited draft capital in the next few years, and with the Flames likely focused on NHL talent they can plug and play, Nick Robertson becomes a focal point. The 24-year-old hasn’t been given a fair shake in Toronto, and although he’s managed to refine his game to be a more ‘Craig Berube-type’ player, Robertson continues to struggle to see regular top-six playing time. The Flames could use his speed on the wing, and his finishing ability. Some would argue so could Toronto, but they haven’t seem to be able to carve a home for Robertson consistently within the lineup.
Robertson and Maccelli combined earn $5.25 million this season, and Andersson is owed $4.55 million. Calgary has loads of cap space, but would the be interested essentially ‘taking on money’ for the rest of this year? What about if Treliving included the Leafs’ 2027 second-round pick?
Robertson, Maccelli, Danford and a 2027 second rounder for Andersson, and a shiny new contract extension to be on Toronto’s top pair for many years to come. The Quinn Hughes market blows Andersson out of the water, but, this seems like a substantial package that could get Conroy’s attention. There’s also Brandon Carlo, who hasn’t necessarily found his legs with the Leafs, and is under contract for next season. He’s someone the Flames could plug and play, but there’s zero chance Conroy wants to take on his salary for this season and next, plus Maccelli, who has been spending most of his time of late in the press box. At the end of the day, Treliving has a few options to get creative and land a much-needed work horse for Toronto’s blueline.
Some of Leafs Nation will scream complete overpay, but let’s take a look at the surface-level stats on what exactly Andersson can bring to the table:
Rasmus Andersson – Age 29
6’1, 202 lbs
2025-26 season through 34 games:
7 goals, 15 assists, 22 points
24:07 avg. ice-time per game
2:32 avg. power-play ice-time
2:43 avg. penalty-kill ice-time
87 shots on goal
17 hits, 66 blocked shots
There’s a ton to like about what Andersson could bring to the Maple Leafs, at both ends of the rink. He’s a minute-muncher who can be leaned on and help balance out the ice-time numbers on the back end. However, the only way Treliving should send a significant trade package to Conroy in Calgary is if a contract extension is in place in the very near future.
With the NHL’s holiday roster freeze, don’t expect to see a trade over the next week or so, but come the new year, the Maple Leafs will be in the mix.
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