In the final episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast for this season, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman spent a lot of time discussing the Calgary Flames. Among the topics discussed were some juicy tidbits on Rasmus Andersson’s trade destination preferences, the Flames’ interest in Buffalo Sabres defenceman Bowen Byram, and the rumoured Nazem Kadri trade discussions.

Here’s what we learned.

Rasmus Andersson’s trade destination preferences

The biggest piece of news around Flames defenceman Rasmus Andersson is that his reported insistence to be traded to Vegas and Vegas alone, is false. Andersson has specified a short list of teams he would sign a long-term extension with right now, and it’s longer than one team.

I don’t think it’s accurate that Andersson will only play for one team, but I have heard it’s limited. It’s more than one, but it’s not like 10.

I think it’s a short list at this point in time, and I understand why the Flames might say no to that now, and think they’ll be in a better place later. Because if they trade him at the deadline, then he’ll go anywhere. That’s good. There’ll be a market for a player like him. He’s a right-hand shot. Good player, making not a lot of money, and at that point in time, you’re just going somewhere where you think you can fit in.

Showcase yourself for the next deal, and if you go to a good team and you make it better, it really sets you up. So, I understand why the Flames feel that way. It’s not a bad strategy.

Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast

The other thing to keep in mind around an impending Andersson trade is that if he does choose to continue to dig his heels in, there’s a very high chance he gets traded to a destination outside his preference list as a rental.

As well, Andersson may only have a few teams he’d want to sign with right now, but that list could easily expand once he has the chance to see what things are like with a potential new team. He’s getting traded, and the Flames aren’t going to make a less favourable deal just to keep Andersson happy.

The Flames are interested in Bowen Byram

It has been rumoured that the Flames are interested in disgruntled left-shot defenceman Bowen Byram.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re if they’re poking around a guy like Byram. But the thing is, I heard they were around a lot of the D that hit the market, but they had a limit. And so I think they were smart about that.

Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast

Byram was drafted fourth overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2019, but has not lived up to that pedigree. He has some of the worst underlying numbers among NHL defenders and despite being a left shot, doesn’t really seem to fit a need on the Flames’ blueline right now.

It has been reported that Byram is looking for upwards of $9M AAV on a new contract, and this would be extremely costly in an offer sheet scenario. The Flames won’t be entertaining anything like this unless the price comes down to the point where they wouldn’t be giving up a potential lottery pick in the Gavin McKenna or Landon DuPont sweepstakes.

Nazem Kadri trade speculation is false

Supposed quotes indicating Kadri was available for trade, particularly to go to the Toronto Maple Leafs, are fake. Friedman addressed this specifically.

The one thing I do want to say is, I don’t think I’ve ever been around something where there were more fake quotes attributed to me in the last week than Nazem Kadri. I actually had to send them to the teams and say, guys, I know you’re going to get calls about this, I didn’t say this stuff.

I just think with Kadri, the Flames have been asked about him before. They have them for term. Unless he comes to them and says, “I don’t think it’s working here. I want to go somewhere to compete,” or they absolutely get their socks blown off to the point where they have to go to them and say, “we want to do this,” I don’t think that’s happening.

I don’t think the Flames are really in a hurry to trade Nazem Kadri right now, not after he has such a fantastic season for them

Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast

Kadri is not going anywhere anytime soon. However, if the Flames don’t have a good start to the 2025-26 campaign, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that either Kadri or the Flames change their mind.

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