Flames give rival team permission to talk extension with Rasmus Andersson.

The Calgary Flames me finally be closing in on a highly anticipated trade.

For months now we have been hearing about the possibility of a trade involving Flames veteran defenseman Rasmus Andersson, but on Saturday night National Hockey League insider Elliotte Friedman made comments that would appear to indicate this deal is very close to coming to fruition.

Speaking on the current situation involving Andersson, Friedman revealed that the Flames have stepped up their level of urgency, reaching out to rival teams to see what the best offer is before moving the player.

"The Flames have called around to a bunch of teams that were interested... and they said 'We wanna decide if we are gonna proceed with this so we want everyone's most serious offers'" revealed Friedman on Hockey Night in Canada.

It sounds like the Bruins are still the favorite to acquire Andersson as was reported several times during the course of the last week.

"The team that appears to be in the driver's seat is Boston," confirmed Friedman.

In fact it sounds like the Bruins may have this one nearly locked up, with Friedman revealing a major detail on Saturday night.

"Boston is very serious about its offer and, nobody is confirming or denying this, but I believe they are the only team that has been given permission to talk to Andersson," revealed Friedman. "And I do believe they have done some pretty significant extension talks."

It sounds like this is Boston's trade to make if things continue to trend in the current direction, although it is important to note that another team could step up with a last minute offer at any moment.

Stay tuned for more on what now sounds more and more like an imminent trade.