Flames' Andersson Has Interest From Contender In The West
Rasmus Andersson might not make it through this offseason without getting traded from the Calgary Flames for a few reasons. There is plenty of interest in the right-shot, top-4 defenseman and his time just might be looking for a change in scenery. He has a six-team no trade clause on his contract.
Calgary already has Mackenzie Weeger, but are now getting Zayne Perekh into their lineup full-time next season. The right side in the top-4 will be full for many years and the Flames can get something good for Andersson. Among many teams showing interest, Elliotte Friedman also mentioned that the Vegas Golden Knights are interested lately as well.
This would only be made a reality if Alex Pietrangelo is indeed injured and will miss a significant amount of time, likely all of next season. This would create a big hole on the right side of the Golden Knights’ defense as well as free up $8.8 million from placing Pietrangelo on the LTIR.
Vegas already got Noah Hanifin from the Flames, but Andersson could be a good fit to play in the top-4 as well. The Golden Knights currently have $5.6 million in projected cap space with some RFAs to sign, but a pretty full roster. If they want to make a significant upgrade and fill a hole that may be there, paying up for Andersson for the final year of his deal at $4.55 million AAV seems like a very good play.
Andersson is 28 years old and has dropped in points each season since putting up 50 points in 2021-22. He finished with 11 goals and 31 points, which isn’t bad at all, but he was also a -38. He has always been a major contributor on both the power play and penalty kill and was so again this season. Andersson logged 165 minutes on the man advantage and 202 minutes killing penalties. He had 196 blocked shots and played 24 minutes per night, but also recorded 107 giveaways.
Andersson has some good and bad, but the Golden Knights are a structured team that could really help with some of the things he struggled with on defense this season. If Pietrangelo is out, I believe Vegas will push hard for Andersson.
