The Calgary Flames’ extensive off-season to-do list has been well documented with the many expiring contracts they’ll need to take care of, but it seems management may have left some room on their plate for a trade or two as well.

So, as we sit here smack dab in the middle of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, when can we expect the league to wake up from its slumber and start feeding us some deals to chew on?

There are no rules barring teams from making trades right now, other than the fact that players acquired can’t play until next season. However, front offices generally let the majority of the playoffs play out before making deals, likely because as teams are eliminated, more potential trade partners arise.

General managers are essentially left with no choice but to make moves during the Stanley Cup Final due to its close proximity to the NHL Draft. There’s normally only a matter of days between the Cup being handed out and teams announcing picks, not a large enough window for all the pre-draft business to get done.

This year’s Cup Final will end no later than June 23, and the 2025 NHL Entry Draft is set to take place on June 27 and 28.

Last year’s Cup Final saw six trades take place throughout the seven game series, including the Flames’ dealing of Jacob Markstrom to New Jersey for Kevin Bahl and a 2025 first-rounder on June 19. There were also two trades made last May, a pick swap between the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders on May 24, and Ryan McDonagh being shipped from the Nashville Predators to the Tampa Bay Lightning on May 21.

Based on last year’s activity, we could see the trade market fire back up later this month, and really round into form around mid June. But what, if anything, will Calgary be involved in this summer, trade-wise?

The big name that comes to mind is Rasmus Andersson. As beloved as he is, parting ways with the veteran blue-liner may be best for both parties, as the Flames continue to develop a young core that likely won’t be seriously competitive while Andersson’s still in his prime.

Additionally, Andersson has reason not to sign an extension this summer and instead re-up next off-season. It would be foolish to sign after an underwhelming season by his standards, and I’m sure he would have no problem betting on himself, especially with the cap set to rise.

So if Andersson won’t sign this off-season, and general manager Craig Conroy plans on sticking to his philosophy of not letting players walk for nothing, the most likely scenario is that the Malmo native is dealt this summer, or shortly thereafter.

It’s improbable that Calgary makes any large-scale acquisitions, as they’re not in any kind of position to be taking big swings in the trade market. So, aside from a potential Andersson deal, we would only anticipate smaller, savvy moves from the Flames’ brass over the next few months.