Golden Knights Land Rasmus Andersson, But Power Play Falters in Loss to Flyers
LAS VEGAS - The Vegas Golden Knights are doubling down on their identity: win now, ask questions later. Their latest move - acquiring top-pairing defenseman Rasmus Andersson from Calgary - is another bold swing from a franchise that’s never shied away from making noise. But while the front office added a major piece for the stretch run, the on-ice product took a step back Monday night.
Vegas dropped a 2-1 decision to the Philadelphia Flyers at T-Mobile Arena, snapping their seven-game win streak. It was a frustrating night where special teams told the story.
The Golden Knights had seven power play opportunities and cashed in on just one. Against a Flyers team that had lost six straight coming in, that’s a missed opportunity - plain and simple.
Power Play Woes Prove Costly
“Early on we were casual,” head coach Bruce Cassidy said postgame, summing up the night. “We didn’t get enough pucks to the blue paint. We didn’t execute well enough.”
He wasn’t wrong. The Knights looked out of sync on the man advantage, with zone entries stalling and puck movement lacking urgency.
It wasn’t until late in the second period that Vegas finally broke through - a slick redirection by Tomas Hertl off a Jack Eichel feed, set up by a smart touch from Mark Stone. That goal tied the game at 1-1, giving the Knights a lifeline after falling behind early.
But the Flyers didn’t fold. Travis Konecny, who had already scored once on a breakaway, struck again - this time shorthanded - to put Philadelphia back on top. It was a gut punch for Vegas and ultimately the game-winner.
The Knights had one last golden opportunity when Owen Tippett was called for delay of game with 1:33 left. With Adin Hill pulled for a 6-on-4 advantage, the Knights threw everything they had at the net. But the equalizer never came, and both teams saw their streaks come to an end - the Flyers snapping a six-game skid, the Knights seeing their winning run halted at seven.
Cassidy took some of the blame on himself, noting he had considered starting the second power play unit on the goal they did score. “Maybe the coach was out of sync tonight,” he said. “I’ll second-guess myself for not starting the second unit and giving them a chance to give us some life.”
Andersson Trade Signals Another All-In Push
While the loss stung, the bigger picture was hard to ignore - the Golden Knights made a major splash earlier in the day, acquiring 29-year-old Rasmus Andersson from the Flames. It’s a significant move for a team that continues to operate with a championship-or-bust mindset.
“We got a high-end defenseman,” said general manager Kelly McCrimmon. “He’s aggressive in the offensive zone. He’s going to add a lot to our hockey club when it comes to moving the puck and making plays.”
Andersson, who will represent Sweden in next month’s Olympics, brings offensive instincts and edge to the blue line. He’s expected to slot in as a top-four defenseman and could see time on the power play - an area that clearly needs a jolt.
To land Andersson, Vegas sent defenseman Zach Whitecloud, prospect Abram Wiebe, a 2027 first-round pick, and a conditional second-rounder in 2028 to Calgary. The Flames will retain 50% of Andersson’s $4.55 million salary. He’s under contract through the end of the 2025-26 season, but McCrimmon made it clear the Knights hope to lock him up long-term before he hits free agency.
“He’s really excited to be with our team,” McCrimmon added. Andersson will wear No. 4 in Vegas.
The deal reunites Andersson with former Flames teammate Noah Hanifin, who was all smiles after the trade. “A lot of excitement,” Hanifin said.
“I played with him for five years - he’s a great teammate, a great guy. He moves the puck really well.
I think he’s going to fit in really well here.”
Timing Matters - Especially With Injuries Mounting
The addition of Andersson comes at a critical time. Vegas is dealing with a growing list of injuries, and McCrimmon confirmed that Brayden McNabb, William Karlsson, Brandon Saad, Brett Howden, Carter Hart, and Colton Sissons won’t be available until after the Olympic break at the earliest. That puts their return timeline somewhere around late February.
Still, McCrimmon insisted that the pursuit of Andersson wasn’t reactionary. “We’ve had interest in him going back to last summer,” he said.
Andersson didn’t dress against the Flyers, and it may be a few more days before he makes his debut. Because he’s a Swedish citizen moving from a Canadian team to a U.S.-based one, there’s some immigration paperwork to sort through. Fortunately, the Knights have Katy Boettinger, Director of Hockey Administration, handling the process - and if there’s a way to expedite things, she’ll find it.
What’s Next
With Andersson’s debut on hold, Jaycob Megna stepped into the lineup Monday, filling the spot vacated by Whitecloud. He held his own, but it’s clear the team is eager to get their new blue liner into the mix - especially with a tough road trip ahead.
The Knights head to Boston on Thursday to kick off a four-game swing. After the Bruins, it’s Toronto on Friday - a homecoming of sorts for Mitch Marner - followed by stops in Ottawa and Montreal. The hope is that Andersson will be cleared and ready to go by the time the team hits the Canadian leg of the trip.
Final Word
Monday night’s loss was a reminder that even the league’s top teams can stumble when execution falters. But with the addition of a top-tier defenseman in Andersson, Vegas sent a clear message: they’re not just chasing another playoff berth - they’re chasing another Cup.
And if Andersson can bring the puck-moving presence and offensive spark he showed in Calgary, he might just be the missing piece this team needs down the stretch.