The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly interested in Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, but acquiring him won't be easy. According to sources, Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving faces an uphill battle in completing a trade with his former team.
Toronto's defensive struggles and injuries have fueled the speculation surrounding Andersson. Analyst Sam McKee of Sportsnet 590 cautions the Maple Leafs against overoptimism in pursuing Andersson, especially considering he could become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. McKee suggests that trading valuable assets for Andersson would be a gamble, given the team's limited prospects and draft picks. He also questions whether the Leafs' current situation justifies such a significant move. Toronto's defense has been inconsistent, with a power play ranked 24th and a penalty kill ranked 19th.
Jay Rosehill, co-host of "Leafs Morning Take," reported that the Maple Leafs are aggressively trying to acquire Andersson. However, some question whether the Leafs possess the necessary assets to complete such a deal. Acquiring Andersson from Calgary might require the Leafs to pay a premium.
One potential trade scenario involves the Maple Leafs offering a package including Matias Maccelli or Nick Robertson, along with a 2027 second-round pick, with David Kampf potentially being included as a cap dump. However, this remains unverified speculation. Trading Knies or Cowan would not address the Leafs' need for a top-six forward, making Danford and a first-round pick a more logical starting point.
The Maple Leafs' defensive issues are becoming increasingly apparent. They have allowed a league-worst 3.83 goals against per game and have conceded the most goals against at five-on-five, with 50. Coach Craig Berube has pointed to the team's inability to play a full 60 minutes as a key reason for their struggles.
While Andersson could provide a boost to the Maple Leafs' defense, the cost of acquiring him may be too high. The team's limited assets and inconsistent performance raise concerns about making a hasty decision. Patience might be a more prudent approach for the Maple Leafs, rather than a panic move.
Furthermore, Blake Coleman is reportedly drawing the most interest from potential suitors. Several teams have contacted Flames GM Craig Conroy to inquire about Coleman, who is signed through 2026-27 with a $4.9 million salary.
