Anderson sees past speculation: ‘If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be’

TAMPA BAY — The only internal reports interest Rasmus Anderson these days are helping him find his next rotation victim.

Revealing for the first time that his rancid victims aren’t always the product of sarcasm, Anderson admits that some of his trademark goals have been targeted in advance.

“I have some guts,” the Flames defenseman chuckled when asked if he touched the stands before the puck drop for fans wearing opposing jerseys.

“No, I used to, because at home it only works against the Canadiens or the original six teams that have fans around the glass. I was lucky against Seattle because there was one man, but if you score against Columbus, or one of the teams that don’t have a lot of fans in Calgary, it can be difficult.

“But now, it’s like, if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.”

He feels very confident about his future playing in Calgary, where he insists his situation hasn’t changed one iota, despite a suggestion from Sportsnet insider Elliot Friedman that the pending free agent continues to flip-flop on his plans.

“It’s funny, I read some of these comments, and sometimes I’m like, ‘It’s crazy that some insiders know more about my life than I do,'” said a smiling Anderson, who is expected to be one of the most sought-after defensemen at the trade deadline after the summer’s contract talks revealed a major tension.

“I’ve said it from the beginning, I’m open to hearing everything … and I haven’t heard much lately.

“What the so-called insiders say about me, I can’t control. The things they put out there, sometimes you just kind of laugh. I honestly never thought about my contract since the season started. I just try to play, enjoy it, and whatever happens, happens, and that’s the kind of mentality I had towards it.

To his credit, his contract situation has not been disturbed in any way.

“I have people that deal with other aspects of my life,” added Anderson, who has increased his trade and contract value as the Flames’ best and most consistent player this season.

“Obviously I’m not in every conversation, so I just try to focus on hockey.”

As passionate a competitor as Anderson has been throughout his 10-year career, the 29-year-old is doing an exceptional job of staying on task.

Anderson was named the NHL’s Player of the Week Monday after scoring twice and adding seven assists over a four-game stretch.

With five games hitting his career high, he has played a big role in the three-game winning streak his team will put on the line against the Lightning on Wednesday.

“I’ve said it from the beginning, even when I didn’t have a lot of points, I’ve liked my game all season, and I guess the puck bounces are coming late,” Anderson said, before walking out of the rink in shorts to enjoy the Florida weather.

“I started off hot last year, and then I went through probably the coldest phase of my life. So I just try to stay humble, just stick with it and keep a positive mindset.”

It was impossible to stay consistent last year, Anderson said, which was an experience that has made the stakes high this year.

“I felt like I went through heaven, hell and everything in between last year when I got off to a hot start, then a cold streak, and then I broke my foot,” said Anderson, who took the heat to finish minus-38.

“I was just munching on the minus like it was Swedish candy. It felt like last year had tested me in battle. So the year ended on a high note, captaining Team Sweden (at Worlds). An absolute rollercoaster season for me, and I think I just came into this year and decided to just enjoy it.”

“I love coming to the rink and hanging out with these guys every day. The plane ride is obviously so long when you play in Canadian cities, so I just try to enjoy it and have fun with my teammates and have fun with them. It puts me in a good place.”

Sweden’s Olympic team GM, Josef Boumiden, met with Andersen in Buffalo last week, giving the Malmö native even more motivation to continue with a bounce-back season that has seen him on the ice for a career-high 24:25.

“They just said we’ll find out two weeks before the official (Jan. 1) deadline,” said Anderson, who has five goals, 16 points and is on pace for a record with 54 shots on goal.

“Obviously, I’m fighting for a place, like many others are. It’s kind of, make this last push to show that I really want to be on this team.”

“That’s probably my number one priority right now, is to play well and get a spot on that team, and we’ll see what my future holds here.”