A possible Rasmus Andersson trade scenario involving the Maple Leafs is being discussed
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Adding onto the report Thursday that Toronto had interest in Rasmus Andersson, a new trade scenario is being floated online by one international source.
Maple Leafs analyst Jay Rosehill noted on Thursday that the Maple Leafs were looking at a deal to acquire Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson.
According to one European source on social media Friday, there's now some clarity as to what a potential trade scenario could look like.
Former NHL draft pick and European scout Teemu Lassila reported on X that according to what he says are sources close to the situation, the Maple Leafs have a package in place for Andersson and it could involve one of two young forwards:
Per sources, Rasmus Andersson will be traded from #Flames to #LeafsForever. Return sounds like Maccelli & a 2027 2nd or Robertson & prospect & 2027 2nd
Hearing the 2028 first is off the table*
David Kampf was the cap dump for this.
*possibly
Hearing the 2028 first is off the table*
David Kampf was the cap dump for this.
*possibly
The claim suggests the package could include Matias Maccelli or Nick Robertson as part of things, and from the sounds of the report, Toronto will part with their 2027 2nd round pick.
Why this unverified claim is being discussed right now
Going beyond the Rosehill report, the Toronto Maple Leafs are dealing with an injury to Chris Tanev which has added to their defensive struggles, and the rest of the corps has been underperforming compared to last year.
Brad Treliving may feel pressured to make a deal now and with the risk of Toronto losing out on a playoff spot altogether, he's looking to stop the bleeding before things get serious.
Andersson, 29, is a free agent who is a right-handed shot that would give Craig Berube a better goal-scoring presence on the backend while not sacrificing too much defensively.
In 555 games he's registered 237 points (50 goals, 187 assists) while adding 919 blocks, and 71 PP points; he was drafted 53rd overall in 2015 by Treliving.
What the suggested package reveals; if accurate, about Toronto's options
Toronto continues to be willing to deal from their limited draft pool, though if their 2028 1st round pick isn't involved that would be quite the feat for the team to avoid losing a top asset.
Losing Robertson would be a bit tough to swallow given his recent production, however that play could have raised his stock just enough to be considered -- fuelling this potential future deal.
Maccelli was acquired this offseason as part of the replacement plan for Mitch Marner but hasn't produced to the level expected with eight points in 17 games (4 goals, 4 assists).
The attached prospect is a wildcard as it could range from a high-end player like Ben Danford to a lower-tier prospect like Luke Haymes or William Villeneuve though there is no indication as to which direction either Calgary or Toronto are going to pursue.
While nothing is set in stone and this is merely hearsay, It surfaced shortly after Thursday's discussion about Andersson, which is why it caught attention, and Andersson's name being floated means that other teams could start making calls of their own.
TRENDING NOW
