The Calgary Flames are still numbering the days ahead of the NHL season in a rather passive stance. Determined to enjoy the summer to the fullest, not much has happened in the offseason. Perhaps, the organization is bracing for the impact by the imminent departure of one of Nazem Kadri’s teammates. However, even that certainty comes with its own question marks.
As things stand, it’s pretty evident defenseman Rasmus Andersson won’t complete the 2025-26 NHL season in Calgary. It’s trending towards him starting the campaign off with Kadri and company, but it looks to be a short-lived year in Stampede City.
The NHL Trade Deadline is shaping up to be the end of the road for Andersson’s stint with the Flames. After a decade in town, it might be the end of the road for the blueliner in Calgary. Entering a contract year and with his championship expectations well above the Flames’ limits, the writing is on the wall—and it’s impossible to miss.
However, no matter how much of a sure thing it may seem, Andersson’s exit route remains unclear. There will be no shortage of suitors—that’s for certain—but the defenseman has now admitted he has yet to engage in talks with the Flames about where he’d like to move next.
Rasmus Andersson #4 of the Calgary Flames stretches before the second period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on November 04, 2023 in Seattle, Washington.
“I have not given Calgary a team,” Andersson admitted, per Swedish site Expressen (translation by @NHLRumourReport on X). “I haven’t actually spoken to Calgary since they made the request, which was a month and a half ago.”
see also
The legacy of the Stanley Cup: Origins of its name, fascinating facts and trophy trivia
Ready to fill in if need be
While Andersson’s departure would leave a massive hole in Calgary’s blueline, the Flames are confident they have talent in their system waiting to take on bigger roles. On that note, former ninth overall selection in 2024 Zayne Parekh is excited about the chance.
“I mean, everyone knows that for me, I’m trying to play in the NHL,” Parekh stated, per NHL.com. “All my peers know that. I have a great support group and everybody’s pushing me every day and I’m pretty hard on myself, too. I’m going to keep working so that in the fall, it’s pretty far away, but I’ve got to have a big camp.”
Trouble in Paradise
Parekh has played in just one NHL game so far in his career. However, he made quite the first impression, scoring a goal in his professional debut in the big stage. However, the Flames are in a bit of a pickle when it comes to the 19-year-old defenseman.
Zayne Parekh poses in the media center after being selected by the Calgary Flames with the ninth overall pick of the first round of the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Sphere on June 28, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Players drafted from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) who are under 20 years old (by December 31st of that year) or haven’t completed four full seasons in major junior are ineligible to play in the American Hockey League (AHL) or East Coast Hockey League (ECHL),” the NHL–CHL agreement states.
SurveyWill Calgary make the playoffs next season?
Will Calgary make the playoffs next season?
already voted 0 people
Thus, Parekh—who turns 20 on February 15—cannot play for the Flames’ AHL affiliate, the Stockton Heat, during the 2025–26 season. Hope remains that the first-rounder can blossom into a full-time NHLer, but that’s no easy task, regardless of the impression he made in his debut.
