An emotional salute from defenceman Rasmus Andersson left the Scotiabank Saddledome wondering if it was a final goodbye Saturday night, overshadowing a solid 4-2 Calgary Flames victory over the New York Islanders.
A Lingering Salute Fuels Speculation
After being named the game's third star, Rasmus Andersson took an unusually long and appreciative lap of the ice on January 17, 2026. The 29-year-old defenceman waved to the crowd and clapped his hands, soaking in the roar from the C of Red in a moment that felt profoundly like a farewell. The poignant display came amid intensifying trade rumors, with the Boston Bruins and Vegas Golden Knights reported as frontrunners for his services.
Flames general manager Craig Conroy is actively working on a deal, making Andersson's presence in the lineup against the Islanders a surprise to many. He responded by logging a team-high 25:40 of ice time, assisting on the opening goal, and high-fiving every teammate at the bench after the final buzzer.
"I think it says a ton about his mental fortitude," Flames head coach Ryan Huska said of Andersson's focused performance amidst the noise. "He's able to just go and play and not worry about the things he has no control of."
Wolf's Brush with NHL History
While Andersson's moment tugged at heartstrings, goaltender Dustin Wolf provided the night's most heart-stopping play. With the Islanders' net empty late in the third period, Wolf snagged a Max Shabanov wrist shot and immediately fired the puck the length of the ice toward the vacant cage.
The attempt, which could have been the 21st goalie goal in NHL history, sailed the distance but took a "bad hop" just before the opposite blue line and veered wide. Defenceman MacKenzie Weegar raised his arms in premature celebration, only to clutch his helmet in disbelief as the puck missed. Wolf finished with 28 saves and one memorable missed shot on his official stat line.
"I like the angle it took at it, but a bad hop," Wolf lamented post-game. "Try again next time. It's a learning opportunity to try to make it land a little nicer next time."
Solid Team Effort Secures the Win
The Flames' offence was supplied by Yegor Sharangovich, Adam Klapka, Justin Kirkland, and Yan Kuznetsov. The victory was a full team effort, setting a positive tone as the team prepares for its next matchup against the New Jersey Devils on Monday.
However, the lasting image from the night at the Saddledome will be that of Rasmus Andersson, a heart-and-soul player for the Flames, acknowledging the fans with a level of gratitude that suggests he knows his time in Calgary may be ending. The C of Red roared its thanks back, creating a powerful, bittersweet moment in what might have been his final home game in a Flames uniform.
