Rasmus Andersson continues to shine for Flames despite uncertain future in Calgary

CALGARY — Rasmus Andersson continues to be a difference maker for the Calgary Flames amid external noise about his contract status.

The Swedish defenceman produced NHL career assists 200 to 202 — all in a Flames jersey — in Calgary’s 4-2 win over the visiting Seattle Kraken on Thursday.

The 29-year-old, who is eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer, has provided value both on and off the ice if the 14-17-4 Flames decide they are sellers before or at the NHL trade deadline March 6.

Andersson generated the primary assist on Calgary’s first three goals Thursday before Mikael Backlund’s empty-netter for the captain’s second of the night.

“He’s been playing really good for us all year and made a lot of good plays today on the goals, also not only goals, creating a lot offence and being really solid defensively,” Backlund said.

“Talking to him, he wasn’t happy last year. He wanted to show that he was better and he’s definitely done this year, probably the best player all season.”

Andersson is in the final year of a six-year deal that’s paid him an average $4.55 million annually. He has seven goals and 18 assists and is plus-3 in 35 games this season.

Calgary has worked its way out of the NHL’s basement to get to five points out of a Western Conference wild-card berth after Thursday’s victory.

The Flames trailed 2-1 after two periods despite outshooting the Kraken 32-19 after two periods and 18-6 after the first.

“We could have hung our heads and just been complacent with playing well and could have just used the hot goaltender excuse, but I think we fought right to the end,” said Flames forward Nazem Kadri.

Andersson sent the puck up ice to Matt Coronato in the neutral zone for the latter to rifle the third-period winner over the glove of Joey Daccord, who had 42 saves in the game.

Andersson, who quarterbacks Calgary’s first power-play unit, teed up Kadri’s one-timer to tie the game a minute 15 seconds earlier, and halt the Flames’ drought of 0-for-13 with a man advantage.

“He’s got poise back there and I think as a skilled player you always want to play with good puck movers,” Kadri said. “He is just working, he’s doing everything he can and he knows he can have an impact on the game and he’s showing his leadership so that’s good news.”

Andersson, who was named to Sweden’s roster for last season’s 4 Nations Face-Off, recorded the fourth three-assist game of his career and his second this season.

“He’s played really well in all situations for us,” said Flames head coach Ryan Huska. “When we needed a kickstart or someone to kind of jump our offence, or if we’ve needed a penalty kill and somebody to step up in that situation, he’s kind of been the guy that has done that consistently for us this year, so he had another strong game for us.”

Dustin Wolf stopped 21 shots as the Flames improved to 6-1-1 in their last eight home games. Jonathan Huberdeau collected his 800th career point with the first assist on Coronato’s winner.

After 20 of their first 35 games this season on the road, the Flames get six of their next seven at Scotiabank Saddledome with their lone road game a short trip to Edmonton next Tuesday.

Calgary is at home Saturday to the Vegas Golden Knights.

“We’ve played well on the home ice lately and so just carry the momentum,” Andersson said.

“We have quite a few home games here now so just take care of the home ice and we’ll see where it leads us.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 19, 2025.