Teams are circling Rasmus Andersson, where does that leave the Maple Leafs?

Nov 30, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (4) looks on against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

According to a report from TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Calgary Flames have several suitors for Rasmus Andersson, but may not strike unless the deal blows them away.

One of the premium names available this season, there are going to be several teams who are vying for their chance to bring in the staunch two-way defender.

He’s not going to come cheap though, and as we’ve heard previously, Craig Conroy is going to be asking for quite the package if he’s going to part with his trade pieces like Andersson.

Why Rasmus Andersson suddenly looks more like a trade chip than a long-term Flame

But TSN’s Darren Dreger believes that the team is waiting things out and that the team is keeping their cards close to their chest, and their silence around the situation speaks for itself.

Dreger appeared on the FlamesNation podcast and explained Calgary’s game plan when it came to approaching an Andersson deal.

This is a poker game but no side wants to officially say the ship has sailed, we are just waiting out for the best opportunity to move a valued asset around the league in Rasmus Andersson.

Why would you show your hand, I get that. I’ve been around a long time. But does that mean the door has closed on extending Andersson? It does to me but there has been no official statement from the team.

If you’re Craig Conroy you’re happy these guys are signing, McDonagh gets the extension, can’t imagine John Carlson playing anywhere else but Washington, Mike Matheson; that’s a big boost for Rasmus Andersson in a big way. The poker game will continue to get played until Conroy says ‘Okay this is what we are going to do.’

The Flames don’t have to do anything with Andersson unless they are truly backed into a corner, and there is still enough time for Calgary to turn things around, or perhaps deal other pieces like Blake Coleman, who has been brought up in rumors recently.

It’s just a matter of doing the right thing at the right time for Conroy, and whether that be now or later is completely up to his discretion.

Can the Maple Leafs actually afford to sit at the Rasmus Andersson table?

Being straight up, if the Maple Leafs were trying to get Andersson they are going to have a very tough time. Conroy is already asking for a premium, and knowing that Brad Treliving will overpay for pieces he thinks are worth it; it could become ludicrously expensive.

We’re talking at least Ben Danford in addition to a young NHL-ready player and the team’s 2028 first-round pick. That’s a huge package for potentially only a few months of Andersson which also doesn’t guarantee playoff success.

With reports that Toronto wants to make ‘roster for roster’ deals, the team has to either find a way to get really creative with the likes of Nick Robertson, Matias Maccelli etc. and see if Conroy is interested there.

The team does have other intriguing prospects like Jacob Quillan, Luke Haymes and Noah Chadwick, however they don’t move the needle like Danford or even Easton Cowan, and you’d need to package at least a couple together.

That very well could be worth it for the Maple Leafs if Andersson turns out to be what the team needs, and give Toronto an even tough lineup once Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo return.

But it might be too high a cost, and with other teams easily able to outbid the Maple Leafs, it could be a matter of having too little, and being too late.