Less than a week ago, defenseman Rasmus Andersson publicized his commitment to the Calgary Flames, suggesting that he spurned the trade interest in him last offseason by being unwilling to sign a long-term extension. However, in a recent episode of Frankly Hockey with Frank Seravalli, the insider reported that Andersson is willing to join a team that plays in an area of the United States without a state income tax, and that the Dallas Stars have shown the most interest.
Much has been made of the teams that play in no-income-tax states recently. Since the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, at least one team has been from a no-income-tax state, with the Colorado Avalanche being the only recent champion from a state that has one. If one of those teams were to be the one that ultimately acquires Andersson, it would be another instance of the rich getting richer.
If that’s the only qualifier for Andersson, which is unrealistic, the Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, Seattle Kraken, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Vegas Golden Knights would join the Stars as potential suitors. However, given the competitive states of the Predators and Kraken, only the Panthers, Lightning, Golden Knights, and Stars would make theoretical sense.
All four teams are among the league’s best, though there are legitimate arguments for not acquiring Andersson. The Panthers, for example, are no strangers to big moves, but already have Seth Jones and Aaron Ekblad on the right side of their defensive core.
Still, the other three have a legitimate need for a top-four defenseman, particularly from the right side. Andersson would easily complement Thomas Harley in Dallas, Ryan McDonagh or Victor Hedman in Tampa Bay, or Noah Hanifin or Shea Theodore in Vegas.
The interesting note from Seravalli’s report is that the Stars are not only interested in Andersson but also have kicked the tires on Blake Coleman. Coleman, who’s signed through next season at a $4.9MM cap hit, would be an immediate upgrade to Dallas’ middle-six. He’s scored 10 goals through 36 games this season and is only a few years removed from helping the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, scoring eight goals and 24 points in 48 games.
Unfortunately, if the Stars were to acquire Coleman and sign Andersson to a longer-term extension after acquiring him, it would make it nearly impossible for the team to retain Jason Robertson, who’s a pending restricted free agent. Dallas could potentially make a move or two to make the money work, but Robertson’s value has risen dramatically this season, scoring 23 goals and 44 points in 37 games.
Ultimately, only time will tell if Andersson and Coleman are eventually moved. Despite a recent string of hot play, the Flames remain five points back of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, and don’t appear poised to make a significant postseason run, even if they do qualify.
Hurricanes have the cap space to overpay to compensate for the State income tax.
Fantasy:
Canes put together a mutually workable package to acquire both Coleman and Andersson.