Trade brewing between Flames and Stars in the West

As part of his bold predictions posted on Sportsnet, Ryan Dixon threw out the speculation that the Dallas Stars could look to bolster their defensive depth at the 2025 Trade Deadline, and the reporter believes their target could point at Calgary. Dixon suggests that the Stars could consider trading top forward prospect Mavrik Bourque, with more assets attached, to the Flames in return for blue liner Rasmus Andersson.

It will probably all come down to how things go in this somewhat messy rebuild in Calgary as many expect Andersson’s name will be mentioned more than once in trade talks this season. If the Flames elect to push him onto the trade market, they will seek a big return, especially since the Swedish defenseman holds a team-friendly contract, a$4.55M cap hit through the 2025-26 season, and could come as immediate help, especially to a contender like Dallas looking to eventually face off against the Edmonton Oilers somewhere in the Western Finals possibly.

Many wonder if Bourque would be enough for the Flames and general manager Craig Conroy to pull the trigger and part with Andersson. Bourque was selected in the first round, 30th overall by the Stars in 2020, but he has appeared in just one NHL game. So far. He’s been used for both special teams units in Dallas during camp, but since the depth chart is quite loaded up front, Bourque could become a valuable trade chip if the Stars go all out at the deadline in March.

However, if the Flames were to make Andersson available closer to the trade deadline, the Stars wouldn’t be the only ones phoning in Calgary. Andersson has a six-team no-trade list, meaning he’s in control of where he lands if an offer comes in, though I doubt he’d be reluctant to head down to Texas for a Stanley Cup run.

If the Flames keep going the rebuilding road and the Stars do offer Bourque, he could become a valuable piece of the puzzle of a younger corps in Calgary. 

Keep this one in mind as spring rolls around.