Big Defensive Upgrade Now Officially in Play for the Canucks After He Announces Trade Availability

We're nearly halfway through August and it's been very quiet around the National Hockey League, with nearly no real notable moves being made even though some insiders believed that there was a good chance it could be a busy month.

While there's still two full weeks to go in August, it doesn't look like action will be picking up anytime soon for a number of different reasons including the cost to acquire players is still quite high, which is likely frustrating for the Vancouver Canucks and other teams that were hoping to continue to add to their respective rosters before training camp.

Despite this, the rumor mill has been active and there are some very interesting names that could be on the market as we inch closer and closer to the start of the 2025-26 NHL season.

Last Friday, Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson spoke with Swedish media outlet Expressen about his situation with the Alberta club, as rumors have been swirling regarding his future there less than 12 months before becoming a UFA.

Andersson became eligible to sign a contract extension with the Calgary Flames back on July 1st, but talks between the two sides have stalled, leading to General Manager Craig Conroy to speak with others teams about a trade for the blueliner.

According to Andersson, he blocked a trade, which included a long-term contract extension, earlier this summer from an unnamed team, citing family reasons as his decision to decline the move.

The Malmo, Sweden native added that he hasn't talked much with the Flames this summer since they requested him to waive his modified no-trade clause, saying that he hasn't given Craig Conroy a specific team he'd be willing to go to.

While the Vancouver Canucks have a bit of a logjam on the blueline and would have to move someone out to make Andersson fit, it would be a solid addition for Patrik Allvin & Co. if he were to swing a deal with the Flames.

Given the uncertainty surrounding Quinn Hughes' future with the organization, the Vancouver Canucks are essentially in win-now mode and bringing in someone like Rasmus Andersson, who they've been linked to in the past, would go a long way in their chances of making it to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2011.

Albeit under a different General Manager in Calgary, the Canucks and Flames do have some recent trade history, and they were some pretty significant moves as well for Patrik Allvin, landing defenseman Nikita Zadorov back at the end of November 2023, along with forward Elias Lindholm, who they landed in early 2024.

It's going to be interesting to see how the Rasmus Andersson situation develops in the weeks ahead leading into training camp, but it would be a smart decision for Patrik Allvin to pick up the phone and see what it would cost to acquire the Swedish blueliner.

Source: Expressen
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