Rasmus Andersson is a pending UFA whose value is dropping and the Maple Leafs need to be ready
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Rasmus Andersson signed with Vegas expecting a playoff run and a massive extension. He's a minus-7 in 24 games and Vegas has lost 11 of their last 15. His new contract could come with a much shorter term — and Toronto can't miss out.
Andersson's journey this season has been a pretty rough one all things considered. While he had to deal with a struggling Flames team, his deal to the Golden Knights was sure to get him motivated and help them rise the ranks of the Pacific Division.
However it hasn't been a great fit so far as Andersson has been decent offensively with eight points in 24 games but is a minus-7 and 14 PIM. His typically solid defence has slipped and with 11 total losses over the last 15 games — Vegas is anything but a playoff lock.
Andersson's value plummets after heading to Sin City which makes July 1 way more interesting
That's led to a lot of discussion about his potential free agency as he's still unsigned and was expecting to get a big deal. However with his lack of overall production and awkward fit, he could be viewed as more of a reclamation project.
Analyst Jason Gregor believes that Andersson is someone who could be looking at a short-term deal to raise his stock and it reminds him of a player the Maple Leafs are all too familiar with:
I could see Rasmus Andersson in a similar spot as John Klingberg a few years ago. Klingberg turned down a long-term deal and ended up signing a short-term deal in free agency. The way Andersson is playing right now, why would any GM give him term?
In order for him to bounce back though, he's likely going to need to take a pay cut which is great news for the Toronto Maple Leafs who could be the perfect place for a bounce back season.
The Maple Leafs need a #1 right-handed defender and Andersson fits the bill
With Andersson staring at a five-to-six year deal worth over $7-million potentially going into July 1, that's going to be a drastic drop and even if Toronto decides to front-load a one-year offer — it could be worth it.
Think of Andersson as a bit of a stepping stone and stop-gap option. This is someone who Toronto can't and shouldn't commit long-term to given that they're just cycling through old and expensive defenders, so offering him $8.5-million for one season is a worthy price. It's not $45-million over five years and going until he's 34.
Yes he's only 29 but Morgan Rielly started to regress at the exact same age and while there's no guarantees that history repeats itself; why take the risk?
Plus, he's still good; like we can't forget this is a player who averages nearly 27 points, 102 blocks and nearly 22 minutes over his career and plays everywhere you need him to. If you want a brand-new #1 blueliner he's your guy.
Granted, Toronto needs to add some more puck-movers to complement him, however if the team is able to swing a deal to bring in a new face like Dougie Hamilton (even for a season or two) it could be enough to get back into the mix.
For all the talk about what big deals the Maple Leafs can make this season, taking a chance on Andersson for one year could end up being the biggest deal they sign at least when it comes to re-establishing your blueline.
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