Insider Teases Major Deadline Deal for Top Defenseman, Pressure Mounts on Brad Treliving
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman teased a potential Rasmus Andersson trade and if the Maple Leafs are wanting to bring him on, Brad Treliving needs to prepare.
With the NHL offseason in its lull phase currently, no doubt talks are expected to pick up in the coming weeks, and there still may be a blockbuster or two ahead of us which will change the upcoming season even more than this summer already has.
But there's also a lot of focus on the upcoming trade deadline. Yes, we are eight months from that very frantic time of the year, and with an Olympic season also ahead of us; it's going to be even more hectic especially if there's any injury issues.
Rasmus Andersson a prime trade candidate...in March
Which is why Elliotte Friedman is getting a head start on deadline day, and put out the idea that Calgary could be willing to trade Rasmus Andersson in March; and apparently he's not going to be too picky.
Speaking on 32 Thoughts, Friedman discussed the potential of an Andersson deal at the deadline, and mentioned that the star defender isn't necessarily going to close himself off to greener pastures:
If the Flames trade Rasmus Andersson at the trade deadline, he'll go anywhere that's good, you're just going somewhere you can fit in and showcase yourself.
Given that Andersson isn't committed yet to an extension and would rather play the season out to see how he feels, that means that several teams are going to be chomping at the bit to bring him in.
This also hinges on Calgary being down bad next season and nowhere near a playoff spot, as trading your best blueliner in a postseason race is borderline insane.
But anywhere that's good? There's one pretty good team who could use Andersson's services.
Toronto Maple Leafs need to keep tabs on Rasmus Andersson throughout 2025-26
Good teams are subjective, but if you had to pick one team who is in desperate need of help on the blueline yet is still a perennial playoff team? Probably going to be the Maple Leafs.
They have a great defensive corps (albeit an aging and expensive one) and as rough as it is to say, they need an upgrade over Morgan Rielly.
Plus, Andersson is going to be motivated to show what he can do not only on a regular basis, but when times get tough and he'll be in a contract year (look what Mitch Marner accomplished).
His 27 playoff games might not seem great, but he has 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists) along with 33 blocks and if given more of a chance to play regularly in the postseason, may end up breaking out into a very reliable producer.
If (and this is a big if) the Maple Leafs can somehow retain Rielly and also bring in Andersson, then their defensive corps is going to be quite the grouping:
Rielly - Andersson
McCabe - Tanev
Ekman-Larsson - Carlo
Not to mention Simon Benoit as your 7th defenseman, who can come in and add an air of toughness and physicality when the time calls for it.
That gives Rielly arguably the best partner he's ever had, and gives Andersson a chance to showcase his talents before signing a massive deal in 2026.
It's going to take a ton of work to even find an offer worthy enough for Craig Conroy to accept for Andersson, but if the Swedish defender is willing to test the market; then maybe that price becomes somewhat manageable.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 21 | 1927 ANSWERS Insider Teases Major Deadline Deal for Top Defenseman, Pressure Mounts on Brad Treliving Do you think the Maple Leafs could make a trade for Calgary's Rasmus Andersson? | ||
| Yes | 649 | 33.7 % |
| No | 1278 | 66.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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