'Hopefully, I get the call': Flames workhorse Rasmus Andersson ...

14 days ago

Calgary Herald

Calgary Flames Rasmus Andersson at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia file

Article content

Calgary Flames - Figure 1 — Photo Calgary Herald

It was a salute to their captain.

Article content

In Rasmus Andersson’s case, it may have also been a sneak preview.

Article content

A week ago, as the Calgary Flames arrived at the Saddledome on the night of Mikael Backlund’s silver-stick ceremony, there was a stack of jerseys available so the skating stars could show some love for Mr. 1,000 during their walk-in photos.

Article content

Andersson donned a yellow Team Sweden sweater, a throwback to Backlund’s most recent appearance at the world championship tournament and perhaps a glimpse into his own future.

Article content

Best-on-best hockey returns in mid-February when the NHL breaks for the 4 Nations Face-Off, and the workhorse defenceman is making a strong case that he should be suiting up for the Swedes.

Article content

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Article content

“I hope so,” Andersson told Postmedia before the Flames hit the road this week. “It’s a goal to make it as hard as possible for the coach not to select me on that team. Hopefully, I get the call and I’m there.

Article content

“I’m just trying to play my best hockey and I think I’ve been off to a pretty good start. Now, I just have to keep it going. I just want to help the team win and play to the best of my abilities. If it leads to something else, that’s great. And if it doesn’t, I’m going to be pissed off.”

Article content

Andersson will surely be a little salty for Saturday’s early showdown with the Buffalo Sabres (11 a.m. MT, Sportsnet/Sportsnet 960 The Fan). He was, after all, stripped of the puck at the tail-end of Thursday’s overtime session in Boston and, with neither of his buddies picking up the guy out front, Brad Marchand had gobs of time and then a second whack at the would-be winner.

Article content

While that was a frustrating end to an evening that saw Andersson log 27:33 of ice time, the highest single-game total for any Flames player yet this season, there has been a whole lot more good than bad from No. 4 this fall.

Article content

4 Nations Face-Off picks due in December

Article content

Enough good for the 28-year-old to muscle his way onto Sweden’s stacked blue-line? He’d be on our list.

Article content

While February may seem a long ways off, especially with Calgary’s current heat wave, the roster deadline for the 4 Nations Face-Off is fast approaching: The picks are due by Dec. 2.

Article content

“It’s motivation. It’s absolute motivation,” said MacKenzie Weegar, who is in the conversation for a spot on Team Canada’s defence. “And I think Ras has a little bit of that in him right now, too.”

Article content

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Calgary Herald ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors

Article content

Sure does.

Article content

The 4 Nations Face-Off will feature star-studded squads from Canada, Finland, Sweden and the U.S.

Article content

Each team has so far named six players, and Sweden’s initial picks included a hat-trick of rearguards — Gustav Forsling of the Florida Panthers, Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Article content

It’s certainly promising that Andersson has put up more points than any of the other candidates, with four goals and 11 points in his 14 outings this fall. He also ranks second in the league in blocked shots, with 47. (He added five to that total during Thursday’s overtime loss to the Bruins.)

Article content

It helps that Sweden has a logjam of lefties — among them, Forsling, Hedman, Philip Broberg, Rasmus Dahlin, Mattias Ekholm and Hampus Lindholm — and the Flames’ heart-and-soul sort fires from the right side.

Article content

It’s encouraging that when head coach Sam Hallam was asked by NHL.com about who’d been catching his eye, Andersson was the first dude he mentioned.

Article content

“He’s maybe a bit different mentality-wise than a lot of other Swedes, a bit more intimidating in a good positive way,” Hallam praised in that interview.