So far, defenseman Rasmus Andersson has been a good fit for the Golden Knights. In eight games, he’s recorded 4 points, is +3, and averages 21:55 minutes of ice time a night. Even though it’s a very short sample size with Vegas, overall, the 29-year-old is on pace to reach or exceed his career high in points. He’s already matched his career high in goals too.
This week VGK’s newest acquisition opened up to Sportsnet to detail and discuss his career and life-changing move to Las Vegas.
I hope the fans know I gave my all every game, even though last year I had a shit year. I’m really grateful for my time there. The organization has done so much for me. I’ve been with them for so long, and I’m so grateful to have gotten a chance to call pretty much everyone in the organization a really good friend. Hopefully I won’t get booed when I come back. –Rasmus Andersson to Sportsnet.ca
Spending his entire twenties in Calgary, Andersson grew from a bright-eyed 53rd overall pick to a blossoming two-way blueliner averaging top line minutes and a place on the top power play unit. Due to his success, the 10-year veteran essentially played his way out of the Flames organization.
However, he was happy to deliver his former franchise a collection of picks and players from the Golden Knights in exchange for his services. While he admits he is an unlikely Norris Trophy candidate he’s satisfied with Calgary’s return.
They got a first-round pick, a second-rounder that could be a first if we win the Cup, plus they got a prospect and a good player in this league for many years who won the Cup with Whitecloud. I think it’s a really good return for the Flames, and hopefully I can make it a really good return for Vegas. I’m sorry I’m no Quinn Hughes, where you get eight first-round picks. I’m not that player. I think I’m one of the most realistic guys there is. –Andersson to Sportsnet.ca
While he may not be a hardware type of D-man, Vegas still gave up a lot and will have to pay substantially for Andersson’s commitment. Nevertheless, the best-case scenario for the Flames would also be the ultimate outcome for the Golden Knights.
Andersson continues to manage his trade to Vegas, as he’s without an address or his family.
Honestly, it’s been a crazy couple weeks, and I’ve got lots to look forward to. –Andersson to Sportsnet.ca
Hopefully, the Anderssons will be reunited and settled in Las Vegas by the time Team Sweden wraps up in Italy.
Emmanuel
He reminds me of Shea Weber.
When McNabb returns the top 4 will be on fleek.
Vic
Good write up on the human side of things. Easy to dismiss the difficulties in the life of a veteran player when they earn lots of money. Even though the paycheck is spectacular, there is sacrifice.
Pistol Pete
VGK with two players on the top lines.
Team USA:
FORWARDS
Brady Tkachuk — Jack Eichel — Matthew Tkachuk
Clayton Keller — Auston Matthews — Jake Guentzel
Matt Boldy — Tage Thompson — Kyle Connor
Dylan Larkin — Brock Nelson — J.T. Miller
Jack Hughes
Vincent Trocheck
Tram Canada:
FORWARDS
Macklin Celebrini — Connor McDavid — Mitch Marner
Sidney Crosby — Nathan MacKinnon — Sam Reinhart
Brad Marchand — Nick Suzuki — Tom Wilson
Brandon Hagel — Bo Horvat — Mark Stone
Seth Jarvis
Sam Bennett
SHS
Pete, those lines are the best “guesses” from NHL.com, not from the actual coaches of the USA and Canadian teams. Let’s see how close they are!
https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/olympics/team-canada-projected-lineups-for-olympic-winter-games-milano-cortina-2026
https://www.nhl.com/news/team-usa-projected-lineups-for-olympic-winter-games-milano-cortina-2026
SHS
Pete, those are the lines projected by NHL.com, not the official lines. Daily Faceoff has Mark Stone up on the top line with McD and Brayden Point. The Eichel line with the Tkachuk bros. seems to be the consensus. We will soon see!
Pistol Pete
In any case eight players total not including Rondbjerg is strong might be the most of any team and all top talent McCrimmon traded for Schmid the only outlier though McCrimmon traded for him as well.
JB
Two straight for the USA women’s team!
TS
Jb, the ladies are looking strong! Great start for the US !
larry
Playing devils advocate once again, regardless to the assimilation process that all traded players undergo, personally I just dont see Andersson as such a missing key asset to the team’s fortunes, and the price we paid for someone who may or may not ultimately prove to be such an improvement on Whitecloud, leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth, when what should have been sought is a quality forward.
Pistol Pete
Again I go with the judgement of McCrimmon and McPhee with input from Cassidy with respect to the decision to add a player like Andersson to the D corp. They know way better than us. Having noted this things can go wrong as they did with Lehner but seems highly improbable anything like that happens with Andersson.
Larry
I can’t argue with that assessment as they (hopefully) do what’s in the best interest of the team as well as their own preservation, my issue is I see what I see, and can only hope that his acquisition may end up being warranted.
Emmanuel
Agree that they should have gone for a F (specifically a LW) but Ras is a HUGE upgrade over Whitecloud who was a 4/5/6 D, Ras is a top 32 NHL D.
Larry
Until proven otherwise , I will have to question Andersson as being a top #32 guy, very much in the same way I question how Hanifin can be on the Olympic team as one of USA top defenseman?
Pistol Pete
Very demanding schedule coming out of the break:
Away: LAK/WSH/PIT/BUF/DET (eastern swing vs. all playoff contenders)
Home: MIN/EDM
Then DAL away
Won’t be easy.
Tim
Personally I don’t see where we gained that much. Whitecloud was serviceable plus giving up draft picks an a prospect whatever as you all say they know more then us. Were still below or at the Mendoza line so lets say management isn’t as good as people want to think.
Emmanuel
There have been tons of terrible GMs…………
knights fan in minny
Doesn’t Vegas have three million in cap space Does that mean While Bill has to be out for the season