NHL Trade: Rasmus Andersson, Vegas Golden Knights ' only stance disrupts Calgary Flames’ sign-and-trade plans

Approaching free agency, the Flames find themselves in a difficult negotiation with Rasmus Andersson. Although interest in trading the 28-year-old is high, it has been slowed due to his unwillingness to sign on long-term with any team other than Vegas.

With cap space already so thin across the league and practically none for Vegas, the Flames may very well have to wait.

Rasmus Andersson blocks potential NHL trade offers as the Calgary Flames struggle to make a deal outside the Vegas Golden Knights

Andersson is under contract until 2026, with a $4.55 million cap hit and a limited no-trade clause. However, he now seems to have a lesser claim in Calgary. The Flames are trying to carry out a sign-and-trade arrangement for a better return, especially because the guy is set to become an unrestricted free agent in a year's time.

This stance will, however, make it difficult to leverage other teams: other teams like Ottawa, Columbus, and Los Angeles reportedly expressed intense interest, yet Andersson has shown absolutely no intention to even entertain those options.

The Kings had a luxurious package offer sent to Calgary, but Andersson spurned the move to L.A., thus restricting the options for the Flames. Meanwhile, Las Vegas, his first choice, stays in talks, noting that their current $2 million in cap space makes it possible to absorb a new deal without retention or making some internal adjustments to contracts.

In other places, there is some uncertainty about veteran Corey Perry. It is a question of priorities for the Oilers. Perry wants to re-sign on a bonus-heavy bargain deal, but then again, tight cap space may not permit a reunion unless he takes a discount. If he hits the market, he will be up for grabs by other teams like Dallas and L.A.Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs remain active behind the scenes after the loss of Brad Marchand.

They went ahead with forward Matias Maccelli and winger Steven Lorentz, but probably will have to clear more room by moving David Kampf as well as Calle Järnkrok in the near future before pursuing further targets.Also Read: Evander Kane returns to Vancouver Canucks: The hometown dream tarnished with a sudden incidentWith NHL free agency about to open, names like Rasmus Andersson and Corey Perry represent how player preferences and financial flexibility have entered into front-office considerations. Whether trades come to fruition or just stay on hold would, therefore, also depend, not just on offers, but on the particular terms of each player.