Flames' Andersson addresses trade chatter: 'I hope I'm staying'

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson is hopeful the speculation around his future with the club doesn't materialize into a trade out of town.

"I hope I'm staying," Andersson told Postmedia's Wes Gilbertson.

Andersson is under contract through next season at a modest $4.5-million cap hit. Calgary hasn't openly stated it wants to move the 28-year-old, but speculation has persisted throughout the season because he'd be one of the club's most attractive trade pieces as a top-pairing right shot.

Although he prefers to stick with the Flames, Andersson knows it's ultimately out of his control.

"I can't affect anything, right?" Andersson said. "You look at it, I have a six-team no-trade (clause). I mean, there's still 26 teams. So if they want to move me, they could move me. I could get a call right now. It's out of my hands."

He continued: "I think people know how much I love playing in Calgary. "I hate the Oilers more than anyone else. I hate the Canucks more than anyone else. That's just who I am. I feel like I’ve grown up in this organization, and I've always loved playing for it."

The Flames selected Andersson in the second round of the 2015 draft. He became a regular during the 2018-19 season and has blossomed into one of Calgary's top defenders at even strength while also quarterbacking the top power-play unit.

Andersson's notched 18 points in 40 games this season while leading the team with 24:29 per contest.

The Flames are one of the league's biggest surprises this season and are one point back of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Their status in the standings is likely to determine their course of action come the March 7 trade deadline.