For 570 regular season games heading into Thursday night, Rasmus Andersson has been a very good defenceman for the Calgary Flames.

On Thursday night, in the midst of a season where the pending unrestricted free agent’s future with the franchise has been very much a topic of discussion throughout Calgary – and the broader hockey world – Andersson put on quite a show in a 4-2 Flames win over the Seattle Kraken.

Let’s go down his stat line, shall we?

His 25:11 in time on ice led the team – his 5:21 power play time led and 1:03 shorthanded time tied the team lead. His plus-3 led the team. His three assists, all primary, led the team. Two of his assists were on game-tying goals, and the third was on the game-winner. Three key plays at key times that helped the Flames win the hockey game.

His first helper of the night, a rocket of a pass that deflected in off Mikael Backlund’s skates near the Seattle net, gave him 200 on his NHL career. (He’s just the sixth Flames defender to record 200 assists with the franchise.) That tied the game at 1-1 in the second period.

His second helper saw him whipping the puck towards Nazem Kadri for a one-time shot on the power play, that tied the game at 2-2 in the third period. It was the Flames’ first power play goal in four games.

His third helper, coming right after Jonathan Huberdeau disrupted a Seattle rush play and fed Andersson in the neutral zone, sprung Matt Coronato into the Kraken zone and led to a wrister goal that gave the Flames a 3-2 lead.

On Tuesday night in San Jose, the Flames had a couple power plays that could have been difference-makers in the game. On Thursday night, the Flames’ power play was a difference-maker in the third period, tying the game and teeing up Coronato’s go-ahead goal 75 seconds later.

Andersson discussed the club’s man advantage performance post-game.

“I thought we generated and we had some looks, both units had some looks, and then we finally broke them down and Naz made a hell of a shot,” said Andersson. “So, except for maybe one or two, I thought it looked okay. And we definitely shot the puck way more than we’ve done in the past. And that’s how you break PKers down. I mean, I know when opponents just shoot and you know, the puck is kind of everywhere and so it creates confusion and I thought we did a good job with that.”

Thursday represented Andersson’s sixth multi-point game of the season and third three-point outing – all three have come in the past month. He’s up to 25 points through 35 games this season, sitting tied for 13th among NHL blueliners in points. His teammates were quick to point out how important he’s been to their group this season.

“I know he’s been playing really good for us all year and made a lot of good plays today on the goals also,” said Flames captain Mikael Backlund. “Not on the goals, creating a lot of offence and being really solid defensively. And he’s showing, proving he’s a really good player. I know, talking to him, he was unhappy last year. He wanted to show that he was better and he’s definitely done that this year. He’s been probably our best player all season.”

Near the end of the 1946 Christmas film classic It’s A Wonderful Life, the angel Clarence describes the impact that George Bailey’s life has had on those who knew him: “Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?”

We don’t know exactly what the future holds for Andersson and the Flames. Based on the chatter, it sure does seem like the Swedish defender’s time with the club is winding down. Thursday evening was a great example of just how impactful Andersson has been wearing the Flaming C, and just how big a hole he’ll leave if (or when) he departs.

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