This past weekend, Ryan Huska pulled Rasmus Andersson aside for a scan of his analytics.
This wasn’t a critique from the Calgary Flames head coach, rather the message was to keep up the good work.
“I saw my underlying numbers today with Husk and it’s the best it’s been in a long time,” Andersson told reporters that morning at the Saddledome. “I’m happy with where my game is at. I feel like I’m shooting, contributing a lot more defensively than I’ve done in the past, too.
“When you go up against the top lines night in and night out, you have to be an all-around player. I’m also playing more penalty kill this year than I ever have, too, which I really enjoy.
“So I feel like my game is in a really good spot. Sure, I’d like to contribute a little bit more offensively, but I’m a big believer in if you take care of the other parts of the game, the offence will come.”
What has happened in three games since Andersson made that remark?
The 29-year-old Swede has piled up six points — a mix of two markers and four assists.
This right-shot rearguard has factored on more than half of the Flames’ goals during a 1-1-1 stretch and led the charge in Wednesday’s 6-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
“Overall, a good night for the team,” he said after a three-point performance at KeyBank Center. “I’m just trying to contribute as much as I can and I’ve been getting the bounces lately, so it feels good.”
Andersson is up to five goals on the season, which puts him on pace to obliterate his previous career-best of 11.
Heading into Thursday’s action around the league, only three defencemen had done more lamp-lighting this fall — New York Islanders rookie sensation Matthew Schaefer and a pair of established superstars in Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
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Andersson is tied for second on his squad in points (12), sitting fifth among all NHL rearguards in shots on net (52) and deserves credit for his even rating — not an easy feat for the leading minute-muncher on a last-place team.
Remember, he was widely criticized for his miserable minus-38 mark last season.
As trade rumours continue to swirl, there’s no arguing that this soon-to-be free agent has been one of few bright spots for the Flames as they have stumbled and bumbled to a 6-15-3 start.
“I’ve liked his game this year. Most nights, Ras has been consistent for us,” Huska said before this latest trip. “He’s been competitive. I think he’s moving the puck well. I think he’s shooting it way more, which was something that we’ve asked of him for, I feel like, 10 years.
“He has been consistent with how he’s showed up for us this year. He’s done a lot of good things. And he has to be a guy that continues to do that because he needs to drive our back-end.”
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