$27.3M Star Defenseman Clears the Air on Trade Talks, Maple Leafs Could Still Make a Move
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson isn't worried about the potential trade rumors surrounding his name, and hasn't actually spoken to the team in a month despite numerous reports.
With the rumors surrounding Rasmus Andersson, the Calgary Flames, and a potential trade, things are not getting any quieter as it appears that every new day we see teams linked to the Swedish defender.
Rasmus Andersson Sets Trade Rumors Straight
But for Andersson, he seems to be getting a bit tired of the speculation and wanted to set the record straight.
Speaking to Expressen, a Swedish news outlet, Andersson explained that he loves Calgary and while they had approached him for a list of teams; they don't have any plans to deal him:
I have still been very appreciated in Calgary for a long time. Then some insider comes with wrong information and the fans believe it, because they are right about a lot of other things they do and I understand that is their job.
But I have not given Calgary a team, that I only want to play for a team. That is not true.
But I have not given Calgary a team, that I only want to play for a team. That is not true.
Andersson is referring to rumors that he would only sign a deal with Vegas, and explained that not only is that not true, but that he has zero interest in going there:
I thought about a lot of things. I talked to my family and thought that right then and there I wasn't really keen on moving my family there and signing a long-term contract, that's what it all came down to.
I communicated that decision to Calgary. I said if you want to trade me, these are the many teams I can imagine signing for. But that wasn't one of them.
I communicated that decision to Calgary. I said if you want to trade me, these are the many teams I can imagine signing for. But that wasn't one of them.
But the one interesting caveat in all this is that while the team asked him for a list, there's been no talks in over a month:
I haven't actually spoken to Calgary since they made the request, which was a month and a half ago. No one has heard from them since then. Sometimes you hear a lot, sometimes you hear a little.
How a Change in Calgary Could Open the Door for Toronto
So what if Calgary decides that they aren't going to entertain an Andersson extension, there's a chance that the Maple Leafs could still swoop in.
While he does only have five teams he wants to go to potentially, there is a possibility the Maple Leafs could be one of those teams, and though it may cost a lot; perhaps they should go for broke.
Andersson is going to cost a lot, and while the Leafs lack a ton of premium assets, perhaps they can overload their offer and bring him in.
The Cap Challenge Toronto Would Face in Any Pursuit
Toronto does have to worry about how much money Andersson is making not only this season but what a long-term deal could look like.
It's likely he will get at least $7-million a season on his next deal, and if the Maple Leafs want to even keep him past a year, they either need to cut ties with all of their pending free agents (including Anthony Stolarz) or move out a contract like Morgan Rielly's somewhere else.
It isn't going to be easy for Brad Treliving to reunite with Andersson and the simple fact that Toronto doesn't have a great cap situation (even disregarding the 10% overage bonus) is going to make this a nigh-impossible task.
Could This Be the Perfect Long-Term Fit for the Leafs' Blue Line?
But is Andersson worth it?
Well in short, absolutely. There's very few who can offer such a shutdown role with the recklessness of Andersson.
That recklessness is not indicative of his ability, it's the opposite. Andersson is so incredibly good that he can block 200+ shots and walk away fairly unscathed, and he doesn't put himself in dangerous positions; he always seems to know where to be.
Bringing him in doesn't solve the current issue which is Toronto's lack of offense from the blueline, but he can certainly hold his own and if the team can bring him in alongside Chris Tanev and Jake McCabe; two incredibly tough players to play against, then Toronto could win through sheer defense alone.
Plus he's still on the right side of 30, and a long-term extension would take him into his mid-30's where he's still going to be effective as opposed to Morgan Rielly and the others who will be pushing their late 30's and into their 40's.
So it's going to cost a lot of money, a lot of assets, and Brad Treliving needs to have the utmost hope that the Maple Leafs are one of the five chosen teams.
It would make this rendition of Toronto arguably the toughest team we've ever seen. The only problem is it's out of their hands for now.
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