Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson is navigating a complex situation as he enters the final year of his six-year contract, which carries an average annual value of $4.55 million. The 28-year-old is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Amidst swirling rumors and trade speculation, Andersson has confirmed that he turned down a lucrative long-term offer from another NHL team about six weeks ago, citing family reasons for his decision.

Andersson's future in Calgary has been a hot topic this offseason. While the Flames aren't actively looking to rebuild and may prefer to keep him, Andersson seems hesitant to commit to a long-term extension with the team. This has fueled trade rumors, with several teams reportedly expressing interest in acquiring the top-four defenseman.

TSN's Darren Dreger reported that the Los Angeles Kings had a "phenomenal" offer in place for Andersson, but the defenseman declined the move. Andersson confirmed the existence of an offer but did not disclose which team made it. He explained that he wasn't comfortable with moving his family and signing a long-term contract at that particular time. Andersson has a six-team no-trade list.

Adding to the intrigue, Andersson refuted reports suggesting that he is only willing to sign with the Vegas Golden Knights. While it's believed that the Golden Knights are a preferred destination for him, Andersson maintains that he has not limited his options to just one team. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic noted that Andersson seems to be "a little picky" about where he would sign, which is his right as he approaches unrestricted free agency.

Despite being an important player for the Flames over the past decade, Andersson and the team appear to be at odds regarding a new contract. There is a belief that there’s still a significant gap to bridge, and neither side seems to be in a rush to reduce the difference. Since the deal that would have sent him to Los Angeles fell through, there has been no communication between Andersson and the Flames.

Andersson has been a reliable all-situations player for Calgary, consistently contributing 30 or more points in each of the last four seasons. He is in line for a significant raise from his current $4.55 million AAV. AFP Analytics estimates that an extension for Andersson could cost around $8.4 million per season over seven years.

With the 2025-26 season approaching, Andersson's situation remains one of the most closely watched storylines for the Calgary Flames. If an extension is not reached, he is expected to attract considerable trade interest before the 2026 trade deadline. General Manager Craig Conroy has publicly stated that he is comfortable with Andersson attending training camp without a new contract in place.