The Detroit Red Wings are looking to make some big moves this offseason to snap their playoff drought, and one area of improvement is on defense.
The website PuckPedia’s PuckGM tool lets users create their own trades. One user proposed a deal that would see the Red Wings acquire Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames.
Red Wings acquire:
Flames acquire:
- Nate Danielson
- Michael Rasmussen
- 2026 third-round pick
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster as Detroit would acquire Andersson for two young NHL forwards and a draft pick.
The Red Wings would acquire Andersson, who’s a legit first-pairing defenseman who can bolster Detroit’s blue line. Andersson is in the final year of his six-year, $27.3 million deal. His name has come up in trade rumors as he may not re-sign in Calgary. With the Red Wings, Detroit can build its blue line around Andersson and Moritz Seider. Andersson recorded 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points in 81 games.
In return, Calgary would acquire Danielson, who was selected ninth overall in 2023. Danielson can be a middle-six forward for the Flames and add some youth to the lineup. Danielson is about to begin his three-year entry-level deal.
The Red Wings would also trade Rasmussen, who was picked ninth overall in 2017. The 26-year-old hasn’t lived up to the hype but can still be a solid middle-six centerman. He’s in the second year of his four-year, $12.8 million deal. Rasmussen recorded 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points in 77 games.
Defense is a Major Need for Red Wings
Detroit enters the offseason with adding to the blue line as a major need.
NHL analyst Brennan McClain of Pro Hockey Rumors called adding to the defense the biggest offseason need for the Red Wings.
“To make it easy, the Red Wings could buy out one of Chiarot or Holl. Leaving a cap hit of $2.83MM or $2.27MM for the next two years, respectively,” McClain wrote. “Despite having a down year offensively compared to his recent production, Detroit shouldn’t have any issues finding a trade partner for Gustafsson and his $2MM salary. By removing two of the three, Detroit would have the flexibility to keep one for the bottom-pairing. And add a top-four option on the free agent or trade market.”
The Red Wings enter the offseason with Seider, Chiarot, Holl, and Gustavsson all under contract. So, Detroit has room to add at least two more defenseman to the roster and could swing big for a top-pairing defenseman.
Insider Expects Flames to Receive Calls For Andersson
With Andersson entering the final year of his deal, his name has come up in trade talks.
Andersson may not re-sign in Calgary and if that’s the case, the Flames may receive calls on him. NHL insider Frank Seravalli of DailyFaceoff spoke on DailyFaceoff Live on June 9 and revealed the Flames are open to moving him.
“I think the Calgary Flames are in a spot where they are open to lots of different things,” Seravalli said. “I think they realize that Rasmus Andersson, for the long haul, is probably going to be too expensive and too long-term for their liking. When you consider the season that he had…really kind of average by his own standards.
“I’m wondering if the best play here is if you’re not getting exactly what you’re looking for, just hang on to him,” Seravalli added. “Trade him at the deadline. I don’t think his value is going to be any better to the Calgary Flames now than it will be if he has an excellent start to the season.”
Andersson has skated in 536 career games, and at age 28, he fits in nicely with the Red Wings or any contending team.
Trade Pitch Sees Red Wings Acquiring $27.3M Star Defenseman in Massive Move