Vegas Golden Knights Eye Rasmus Andersson
The Vegas Golden Knights are exploring the possibility of acquiring Rasmus Andersson, a right-handed defenseman currently with the Calgary Flames. Recently, hockey insider Pierre LeBrun revealed that Andersson is open to the idea of signing an extension with the Golden Knights, although he has been selective regarding potential destinations for his career.
Trade Negotiations and Interest from Other Teams
Andersson’s six-team no-trade clause offers the Flames multiple avenues for potential trade negotiations, yet teams are hesitating due to uncertainties surrounding Andersson’s contract discussions.
Throughout the past week, negotiations between the Golden Knights and the Flames have taken place; however, the Flames have not been satisfied with the offers they have received from Vegas. In addition to the Golden Knights, the Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Los Angeles Kings have shown interest in the 28-year-old defenseman. Further highlighting the competitiveness for Andersson’s services, David Pagnotta, a contributor for The Fourth Period, mentioned that the Dallas Stars are also keen but may need to make roster adjustments by trading players like Ilya Lyubushkin and Matt Dumba.
Impact on the Golden Knights’ Roster
At the same time, the Golden Knights have been actively looking to trade veteran defenseman Ben Hutton, who carries a modest $975,000 cap hit. Hutton has seen limited action this season, appearing in only 11 games as a depth defenseman but recently stepped into a more significant role following injuries to Alex Pietrangelo and Nicolas Hague. If Andersson joins the team, Hutton could lose that seventh-defenseman spot once again.
Andersson’s Skill Set and Potential Fit
Andersson’s skill set complements the modern defenseman archetype, as he combines a solid 6-foot-1 stature with impressive skating ability and offensive acumen. He boasts a career-high of 50 points, including 11 goals, and would potentially enhance the Golden Knights’ defensive line, especially alongside fellow former Flame, Noah Hanifin. Together, they previously demonstrated effective chemistry, which could aid Hanifin’s performance, given his inconsistent tenure with Vegas.
Salary Cap Considerations
However, it’s worth noting that the Golden Knights would find themselves over the salary cap if they were to successfully acquire Andersson, even taking advantage of long-term injured reserve options for Pietrangelo. Consequently, the team must find ways to move around salary cap spaces either in this trade or through other transactions.
