Over the last three days there were orientation camps throughout North America as the national teams from the United States and Canada prepare for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo. There was also a NHL Player Media Tour in Europe. In North America, the attention was on Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid. In Europe, the focus was on Calgary Flames veteran blue liner Rasmus Andersson.
Connor McDavid at the forefront
The Oilers superstar was a major focus at the Canadian Orientation camp at the Markin MacPhail Centre in Calgary, Alberta. The focus was not so much on him being on the Olympic team and his first Olympic experience with Team Canada. The focus was about his contract negotiations with the Edmonton Oilers. McDavid has one more year left on his contract where he is set to make $12.5 million. He will then be an unrestricted free agent. However, there is a belief by many that McDavid will sign an extension with the Oilers rather soon. But there is one hockey insider who believes that an extension may not happen over the next month. That is Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. There have been recent rumours that McDavid could be traded to Los Angeles. I don’t think that will happen. The Oilers want a deal done more than anyone, and McDavid is not expected to follow in the footsteps of Wayne Gretzky.
Mikael Backlund believes Rasmus Andersson will be traded.
The Flames captain was very candid and forward with his comments about a defenseman who is expected to be wearing a different jersey in the immediate future. According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, Backlund stated the following:
“Yeah, he’s getting traded. It’s obvious. But the team wants value. He wants a big contract. So he wants to play well. The team needs him to play well. So, just go out and play. I talked to him, too, and he doesn’t want to be a distraction. So it’s all good. It’s too bad it’s come to this. I don’t think that they’re close to getting an agreement or anything, but you never know. Things could change. We’ll see.”
There is no doubt Andersson’s days in Calgary are close to done. One cannot ignore his terrible -38 from last year. Andersson may give a strong effort, but no longer has the desire to be a Flame long term.
