In a significant move ahead of the trade deadline, the Vegas Golden Knights have acquired defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames. The trade, confirmed Sunday afternoon, sees the Golden Knights bolstering their defensive core with a seasoned player while the Flames continue their retooling efforts.
Andersson, 29, brings a wealth of experience and skill to the Golden Knights'blue line. This season, he has tallied 10 goals and 30 points in 48 games for the Flames, showcasing his offensive capabilities from the defensive position. He also logs significant ice time, averaging over 24 minutes per game. Drafted 53rd overall by the Flames in 2015, Andersson has accumulated 52 goals and 247 points in 560 career games.
In exchange for Andersson, the Flames receive defenseman Zach Whitecloud, a 2027 first-round pick, a conditional 2027 second-round pick, and the signing rights to University of North Dakota defender Abram Wiebe. The conditional pick will upgrade to a first-round pick in 2028 if the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup this year. Additionally, the Flames are retaining 50% of Andersson's $4.55 million cap hit, reducing his impact on Vegas's cap to $2.275 million this season.
Andersson is in the final year of his six-year, $27.3 million contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Despite earlier reports suggesting that the Boston Bruins were frontrunners and had been granted permission to discuss a contract extension with Andersson, no extension is currently in place with the Golden Knights.
The Golden Knights' acquisition of Andersson addresses their need for a top-pairing defenseman with offensive upside. His arrival is expected to provide a significant boost to their Stanley Cup aspirations. For the Flames, this trade marks another step in their ongoing rebuild, acquiring valuable assets for the future.
Other teams reportedly in the mix for Andersson included the Dallas Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the Golden Knights ultimately presented the most compelling offer, securing the services of the coveted defenseman.
The trade is pending a trade call.
