Rasmus Andersson Could Be the Missing Piece for the Golden Knights’ Blue Line
It’s no secret the Vegas Golden Knights are in the market for defensive help - and they might just have their eyes on one of the most intriguing names available: Rasmus Andersson.
The Calgary Flames defenseman has reportedly made it known he’d welcome a move to either Vegas or Dallas, and with the NHL trade landscape heating up, it sounds like Calgary is ready to talk. According to insider Frank Seravalli, the Flames are encouraging teams to put their best offers on the table. That’s not smoke - that’s the signal that something real could be brewing.
Andersson isn’t just some mid-tier rental. He’s putting together a strong season, with 10 goals and 19 assists already - six of those helpers coming on the power play.
But his value doesn’t stop at the offensive end. He’s also got 88 blocked shots and 18 takeaways, showing he’s more than capable in his own zone.
That kind of two-way impact is exactly what contenders crave this time of year, especially one like Vegas that’s been hit hard by injuries on the back end.
Andersson’s Olympic involvement adds another wrinkle. There’s chatter about a possible extension before the Games begin - a sign that he’s not just a short-term piece, but someone who could be part of a long-term plan. And with the way he’s playing, that’s a plan a lot of teams would love to build around.
Why Vegas Makes Sense
The Golden Knights have been scrambling on defense ever since losing Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore to injuries. That’s not just a depth issue - it’s a structural one.
Without those two, the defensive core has been stretched thin, exposing the goaltenders to high-danger chances far too often. And with Alex Pietrangelo stepping away due to hip issues, Vegas has been forced to get creative with its pairings.
Andersson wouldn’t be a one-for-one replacement for Pietrangelo - very few players are - but he brings a lot to the table. He’s mobile, smart, and can log heavy minutes in all situations.
Slotting him alongside a guy like Noah Hanifin (his current Flames teammate) could give Vegas a formidable second pairing, while allowing Theodore and McNabb to reunite once healthy. That’s the kind of balance that wins playoff series.
What a Deal Might Look Like
Of course, adding a player like Andersson doesn’t come cheap. The Golden Knights would likely need to move a roster player to make the cap math work.
Zach Whitecloud could be a candidate, especially with the organization’s growing confidence in young defenseman Kaedan Korczak. Vegas has done a good job developing depth on the blue line, and that gives them some flexibility when it comes to moving pieces around.
The key for GM Kelly McCrimmon will be finding the right balance - adding a top-four defenseman without mortgaging too much of the future. That’s a tightrope he’s walked before, and based on his track record, he’s probably already working the phones with that exact goal in mind.
The Bigger Picture
This is the time of year when the Golden Knights tend to make their move. They’ve built a reputation as aggressive buyers, never afraid to swing big when the opportunity presents itself. Andersson fits the mold of the kind of player they like: skilled, experienced, and battle-tested - but still with prime years ahead of him.
If Vegas pulls this off, it won’t just be about plugging a hole. It’ll be about reinforcing a championship-caliber roster with a player who can elevate the group on both ends of the ice.
The Golden Knights don’t just want to get healthy - they want to get better. And Rasmus Andersson might be exactly what they need to do just that.
Stay tuned. This one feels like it’s picking up steam.