The Boston Bruins are rolling-winners of five straight, all at home and all in regulation-and it looks like they’re not done building. Word around the league is that they’re seriously in the mix for Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, and if it happens, it could be one of the biggest moves of the NHL season.
Andersson, 29, is arguably the top rental defenseman on the market. A pending unrestricted free agent, he’s the kind of two-way blueliner who can change the shape of a team’s defensive identity overnight.
He’s not just a shutdown guy-he’s got real offensive upside, too. This is a player who’s posted 30-plus points in four consecutive seasons, with high-water marks of 49 and 50 points when skating alongside Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov in Calgary during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 campaigns.
The Bruins, who have been searching for a right-shot defenseman or a top-six winger, are reportedly deep in talks with Calgary. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman noted that discussions have been on and off, but there’s definite mutual interest. He also suggested that if Boston pulls the trigger, it would likely come with an extension-something that would mirror the team’s 2022 acquisition of Hampus Lindholm, who was signed long-term almost immediately after the trade.
There’s urgency here, too. According to Friedman, both the Flames and Andersson are hoping to get something done before the Olympic break.
The situation’s been dragging on, and it’s starting to wear on both sides. Pierre LeBrun added fuel to the fire, reporting that trade talks have intensified and a deal could come together within 24 to 48 hours.
If Boston is the team that lands Andersson, it’s a game-changer. Not only would they be adding one of the league’s most reliable two-way defensemen, they’d be reuniting him with Zadorov or potentially pairing him with fellow Swede Lindholm. Either way, it would give Boston one of the deepest, most versatile blue lines in the NHL.
Here’s what the Bruins’ defensive corps could look like at full strength with Andersson in the fold:
Option 1:
- Hampus Lindholm - Charlie McAvoy
- Nikita Zadorov - Rasmus Andersson
- Jonathan Aspirot - Henri Jokiharju
Option 2:
- Jonathan Aspirot - Charlie McAvoy
- Hampus Lindholm - Rasmus Andersson
- Nikita Zadorov - Henri Jokiharju
No matter how head coach Jim Montgomery draws it up, it’s a defensive unit that stacks up with the best in the league. Andersson would likely slot into the second power play unit as well, adding another layer to an already dangerous special teams group.
Of course, a deal of this magnitude doesn’t come cheap. Boston would likely have to part with one of its two 2026 first-round picks, a young roster player-Mason Lohrei could be a logical fit-and perhaps another smaller asset or two.
Andersson’s cap hit is just over $4.5 million, while Lohrei’s is around $3.2 million, so the Bruins would need to clear a bit more space unless Calgary retains some salary. One possible solution?
Including Andrew Peeke in the deal, which could help balance the books and open up a roster spot on the back end.
As for the competition, Boston isn’t alone in this pursuit. Both the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars are reportedly in the mix, and they’re not just playoff teams-they’re legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. If Andersson prefers one of those destinations or isn’t willing to sign long-term in Boston, it could derail the Bruins’ efforts before anything materializes.
But what’s clear is that GM Don Sweeney is being aggressive-and rightfully so. With cornerstone players like David Pastrnak, Jeremy Swayman, and Charlie McAvoy in their primes, the Bruins are in win-now mode. Andersson would be a perfect fit in Boston’s system, and his presence would only make it harder for teams to generate offense against a group that’s already one of the stingiest in the league.
If the Bruins can’t land Andersson, it’ll be fascinating to see where they pivot. There’s been some chatter about Artemi Panarin as a potential target if the Rangers decide to sell, but that’s a whole different level of financial gymnastics.
Panarin’s $11 million cap hit would almost certainly require 50% retention, which would drive up the cost significantly. Even then, Boston would have to move a key piece like Casey Mittelstadt or Viktor Arvidsson to make the numbers work-and given how well both have been playing, that seems unlikely for a rental.
For now, all eyes are on Calgary and Boston. If the Bruins can pull this off and lock in Andersson long-term, it could be the kind of move that puts them over the top in a wide-open Eastern Conference.