4 Potential Free-Agent Destinations for Rasmus Andersson

The NHL's free-agent market opens at noon on Wednesday, July 1, and the best defenceman available is Vegas Golden Knights blueliner Rasmus Andersson.

The 29-year-old Swedish defenceman appeared in 33 games for the Golden Knights after a trade from the Calgary Flames, and chipped in with 17 points, playing close to 22 minutes per game, including on both sides of special teams. Andersson's a great defensive defender, who loves to block shots, and can make a crisp first pass, and join the rush on occasion.

There's going to be plenty of interest in Andersson, especially with Darren Raddysh already traded and locked up long term by the Toronto Maple Leafs, and with the recent trade of John Carlson's rights to the Carolina Hurricanes. Andersson's the top dog on the market and there's going to be multiple contract offers coming his way very soon.

Vegas enters the week with just $4.6 million in cap space and already made a blockbuster trade to move pending restricted free-agent forward Pavel Dorofeyev, who signed a long-term contract with the New York Rangers for $11 million AAV. 

As far as other destinations go for Andersson, the Tampa Bay Lightning are going to make contact, and could be offering a contract to the right-hander. With Raddysh gone, the Bolts have a big hole to fill on the right side. Along with the Lightning, the Anaheim Ducks will have interest, as they're expecting to let Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas walk. 

Two other teams to consider are the Maple Leafs, who just moved Brandon Carlo, and have Morgan Rielly available in trade talks. John Chayka continues to reshape the team's blueline, and has been linked to trading for Zach Werenski as well. Lastly, don't be surprised to see Andersson sign with the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks have boat load of cap space and they need to sign at least four more defencemen this summer to round out their roster.