Trade rumours continue to swirl for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Before yesterday’s game against the LA Kings, former Maple Leaf and host of The Leafs Nation Jay Rosehill had Leafs Nation buzzing when he posted a tweet saying, “Guess the Maple Leafs are working hard to get Rasmus Andersson out of Calgary. Not sure what they’d have to give to get him tho.” This had fans speculating about what the Maple Leafs might have up their sleeve.
Rasmus Andersson has been on Toronto’s radar since general manager Brad Treliving was hired by the Maple Leafs. News broke yesterday that Toronto tried to acquire Andersson at last season’s trade deadline before pivoting to Brandon Carlo.
Andersson has been Calgary’s best defenceman for quite some time. He is in the final year of his six-year deal worth $4.5 million. The Malmö, Sweden native is in his ninth NHL season.
Rumours Heating Up Around Andersson
TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger joined the Barn Burner Podcast, where he added more fuel to the speculation about what Flames general manager Craig Conroy would want in return if the Toronto Maple Leafs came knocking again: “You’re Craig Conroy… you’re asking for Matthew Knies, or you’re asking for something like that. If you’re Toronto… a contract extension would have to be part of it,” said Dreger.
Realistically, I doubt the Maple Leafs would part ways with Matthew Knies, but I do think Toronto would be willing to send Max Domi, Brandon Carlo, and maybe Calle Järnkrok the other way for Andersson—and, looking at the bigger picture, Blake Coleman.
Andersson is exactly what Toronto needs: a right-shot, puck-moving defenceman who can produce offensively. As for Blake Coleman, he is a top-six forward who has no problem finding the back of the net.
The Maple Leafs’ window to win is now. There is still lots of hockey left to be played, and I think they will pull through, as they have yet to face serious adversity in clinching a playoff berth in the Auston Matthews era.
If Toronto adds Andersson (with a contract extension) and Blake Coleman, I could see Brad Treliving asking Morgan Rielly to waive his no-trade clause to acquire an even bigger fish to play alongside Auston Matthews—potentially Owen Tippett of the Philadelphia Flyers.
As the season goes on, I won’t be shocked to hear continued connections between Rasmus Andersson and the Leafs. Andersson has played 555 games and has 50 goals and 187 assists for 237 career points.
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