Breaking: Rasmus Andersson Traded To Cup Contender

The Rasmus Andersson Saga is over. According to insider Darren Dreger, the Calgary Flames have traded the sought-after defenseman to the Vegas Golden Knights. Elliotte Friedman breaks down the details:

Andersson to Vegas with 50 per cent retained

Return:

Whitecloud
2027 1st
2027 2nd, becomes a first if Vegas wins Cup this year
Abram Weibe, a defenceman at UND
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 18, 2026

The Flames retain 50% of his $4.55M cap hit, and in return, they receive d-man Zach Whitecloud, a defense prospect Abram Wiebe, a first-round pick in 2027, and a 2nd rounder that becomes a first (in 2028) if Vegas wins the Stanley Cup this season.

It was just earlier on Sunday that the Boston Bruins were named as the leading candidate to nab the pending UFA, as they were the only team as of Saturday night that had been given permission to speak with Andersson about a contract extension. But they obviously couldn't come to an agreement on a new contract, and Vegas swooped in, despite not having a new deal done.

Boston had permission to talk extension with Andersson but was not able to get an extension done. Vegas didn’t have that permission so no extension negotiated yet. But given that Vegas was top of list for Andersson last summer, I can’t imagine there should be any issue for Vegas…
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) January 18, 2026

The 29-year-old is in the final season of a six-year, $27.3 million contract ($4.55M AAV).

Chris Johnston points out that two seasons ago, the Golden Knights acquired Noah Hanifin (also from the Flames) at the trade deadline without a new contract in place. They signed him to an extension a month later. Interestingly, Hanifin and Andersson were a very strong pair while together at Calgary.

Andersson is having one of his best seasons, with 30 points in 48 games, a +3 rating, and a career-high 24:14 average ice time logged per night.