The long trade saga for Rasmus Andersson finally came to an end last month when the Flames moved him to Vegas in exchange for a first-round pick, a second-round selection, defenseman Zach Whitecloud, and prospect blueliner Abram Wiebe.
Of course, while this was the time that the trade got over the finish line, it looked like deals were all but done on multiple occasions beforehand. Speaking with Sportsnet’s Eric Francis earlier this week, the blueliner discussed some of those failed moves that ultimately preceded his departure from Calgary.
Over the summer, it was widely reported that the framework of a trade was in place to send him to Los Angeles. Andersson confirmed as much but acknowledged that he wasn’t ready to sign a long-term deal with the Kings which was a condition of the swap. As a result, it ultimately fell through.
Soon after that, word emerged that Andersson had given the Flames a shortlist of teams he would sign with. It turns out that the list wasn’t all that short as there were seven teams on it.
Andersson noted that a couple of times, it looked like something was in place with some of those other teams, without going into specifics about who they were. In the end, the acquiring team couldn’t figure out how to fit him in beyond this season (where he has a team-friendly $4.55MM AAV) which ultimately scuttled the discussions.
To his credit, Andersson came back to the Flames for this season and didn’t let the constant discussion about his future faze him. Instead, he had a strong first half, notching 10 goals and 20 assists in 48 games before the swap while logging over 24 minutes a night of ice time, narrowly surpassing his career high in that regard.
Of course, there was one more failed move, that coming just days before the move to the Golden Knights. It briefly looked as if Andersson was on his way to Boston with a seven-year, $63MM extension in tow but the 29-year-old noted that the Bruins made some tweaks to the offer in terms of structure and trade protection that weren’t to his liking. Then, after three days without any communication, he ultimately decided to pull the plug on signing an early extension with anyone for the time being. With an extension being a prerequisite to make the Boston trade happen, that took them out of the equation as well.
In the end, that decision ultimately facilitated a move as Vegas stepped up with their offer mere hours after that announcement and the long-awaited swap going back the better part of a year was finally completed. Andersson has since played in eight games since the move, picking up a goal and three assists and now is with Sweden for the Olympics so his break will be a short one compared to most of the league.
Speculated as a preferred landing spot for Andersson in the summer, the Golden Knights were indeed one of the seven teams on his list dating back to the offseason so both sides should be confident that an extension can be worked out. The near-miss Boston contract should act as a reasonable barometer for what that agreement should ultimately cost. It may wind up taking a lot longer than originally anticipated and hoped but Andersson appears set to get one of the outcomes he wanted, a trade to and a contract with a team of his choosing. The first half is done, now we’ll see how long it takes for the second half to be completed.
Thank the gods the deal with Boston fell through. Andersson is a fine player, no error, but he isn’t THAT much of an upgrade over their top four D-men to warrant (a) that kind of price, and (b) an extension the Bruins can ill afford, when (c) improving their defense is not high on the priority list. Top-six scoring, yes. A backup goalie, yes. The Newest Shiny Toy Available on Defense? No.
Well said, Tranger
Yeah I’m thinking that the Boston deal was most likely better, but with an extension. I wish the Vegas trade was a little better with increase contingent on if he resigns with them. There is a good chance he does.
The bad thing with the Flames, is they always wait till the last year before trading players at a higher trade level. Just like Coleman. They’ll most likely wait till next year when his value won’t be as high.
Sure, but let’s face it: a 1st, a 2nd, Whitecloud and a prospect for an expiring UFA is pretty dern good. And truly: we’re not talking any kind of preeminent star here. Andersson is a quality, durable, consistent, top-pairing defenseman, no error. He’d be the #1 D-man on a number of teams in this league.
But he’s already 29. He’s never scored any accolades: never played in an All-Star game, never got so much as a single vote for a trophy, never got so much as a single 5th place Norris vote, never was in the league leaders for anything. His career comps go to the Pulocks, Engbloms and Hroneks. I’m thinking that what Calgary got for him was the best they were likely to hope for.
You are absolutely right Nha Trang. It was a fair deal for who he is. One just likes to see a steal of a trade sometimes. (Like the Lindholm trade).
It is better then the Hanifin trade though, as it looks.