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Calgary Flames Reflect on Season and Future Prospects
In a candid moment, Rasmus Andersson revealed that he played the final twelve games of the season with a fractured foot. However, it was his future with the Calgary Flames that dominated discussions during the team’s end-of-season media availability on Saturday.
“I grew up in Calgary,” Andersson expressed, recalling his journey as a second-round draft pick by the Flames in 2015. “I hope the fans know that I loved every second of it. I’ve never taken it for granted.”
“I hope I’m here for many years to come, but this is where it’s a big decision for me and for the Flames.”
This offseason, expectations are high that the 28-year-old defender will either sign a contract extension when eligible on July 1 or be traded. “There’s a lot of good young players in the organization, and there’s only a certain amount of right-shot defencemen you can have on the team,” he noted.
Among those young talents is MacKenzie Weegar, who is secured with a contract until 2031. The Flames’ promising prospect, Zayne Parekh, is also a right-shooting defenseman and recently made history in the OHL with multiple 30-goal seasons. Parekh made an impactful NHL debut during Calgary’s last game of the season. Additionally, Brayden Pachal, who is under contract for two more years, and Hunter Brzustewicz, another exciting prospect, both add to the right-shot defenseman tally.
General manager Craig Conroy indicated that discussions with Andersson and his agent are on the horizon. “What is the number? What is the years? What makes sense for the team moving forward, and him?” Conroy inquired, highlighting the importance of aligning future plans.
Andersson’s commitment to the team has never been in question. Reflecting on his performance while injured, he admitted, “That was a tough one, actually, because it took me about half the game to feel OK. You try everything. You numb it up. You take pills and everything. Could I have played better those games? Absolutely. Am I happy with those games? Not really.”
Despite personal challenges, he played an essential role in the Flames’ push for the playoffs, averaging 24 minutes of ice time in various situations. Andersson emphasized his passion for the game, saying, “I don’t like sitting out. I never have and I don’t think I ever will. If I can get my skate on I’ll most likely play.”
The season ended in disappointment for the Flames, who finished with a record of 41-27-14, totaling 96 points—not enough to secure a playoff berth. This record ties them with several teams for the highest point total to miss the postseason, a statistic that casts a shadow over their achievements.
“Proud of our group,” said teammate Blake Coleman. “We fought really hard, exceeded all the expectations that were put on our team this year.”
As Calgary closed out their campaign with points in their last eight games and an impressive 11-2-3 record over the final sixteen games, coach Ryan Huska highlighted the strength of the team spirit, stating, “Maybe on paper, we weren’t the strongest group, but I think we had the best team and it allowed us to win a lot of games this year.”
Other key players with contracts up for review include goaltender Dustin Wolf, who is poised to make a long-term impact after an impressive first full NHL season, with a record of 29-16-8 and a nomination for the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year. “It was fun,” Wolf remarked, looking back on the season. “A heck of a learning experience… and I’m obviously really looking forward to getting next year going already.”
As the Flames prepare for the offseason, Conroy faces a long to-do list, including addressing the status of several unrestricted free agents such as Anthony Mantha and Kevin Rooney, as well as re-signing restricted free agents like Morgan Frost and Matt Coronato. With many discussions ahead, the Flames are looking to solidify their roster for a stronger future.
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globalnews.ca