The Detroit Red Wings are enjoying a strong campaign and currently sit atop the Atlantic Division with a 27-15-4 record. They’ve won three straight games. The most recent being a 4-0 shutout victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.
With their sights set on a deep playoff run, Detroit is expected to strengthen their roster. One name now surfacing in trade chatter is a $27.3 million defenseman from the Calgary Flames.
Detroit Red Wings Linked to Calgary Flames’ $27.3M Blueliner
Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson has been connected to the Red Wings in recent reports. The veteran blueliner is in the final season of his six-year, $27.3 million contract, making him an intriguing option for contending teams.
Speaking on The Sheet podcast, NHL analyst Jeff Marek suggested Detroit could be a natural fit. “Red Wings, you know, they’re probably looking for a top four veteran defenseman. Raasmus Anderson, I would imagine, has at least been a point of a point of interest for the Detroit Red Wings,” he said. “And they’re probably not the only team out there looking for a veteran defenseman.”
Andersson is having a solid season in Calgary, posting 28 points in 45 games with a plus-3 rating. With the Flames sitting near the bottom of the Pacific Division and no extension in place, a trade appears increasingly realistic.
Calgary May Prefer a Sooner Deal
NHL insider David Pagnotta, who joined Marek on the podcast, added that trade chatter surrounding Andersson has intensified recently. “So it’s been about a week or a little over a week where things have really started to pick up,” Pagnotta said. “We’re hearing Rasmus Andersson…”
Pagnotta suggested Calgary may be leaning toward resolving Andersson’s situation sooner rather than later.
“I’m starting to get a sense that Calgary as well with the with the amount of interest in Anderson is. The preference is to just get this out of the way now. I think they understand where he’s at. I think he understands where the team is going and I think the preference is to make this happen sooner than later,” Pagnotta explained
Pagnotta added that Detroit isn’t alone in the pursuit. Toronto, Dallas, Vegas, Florida, and Colorado have all been linked as teams that have at least kicked the tires, highlighting just how strong the interest could be in Andersson as the trade deadline draws closer.
For now, it’s unclear whether Detroit will decide to make a move, as the Red Wings turn their attention to a matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday.