The Los Angeles Kings have been rumored to have an interest in Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, who is considered a prime candidate for a trade. In a piece by The Athletic, NHL insiders Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston played “trade matchmaker” with various potential deals, with LeBrun suggesting the Las Vegas Golden Knights as Andersson’s likely destination, while Johnston favored the Kings.
Johnston revealed that the Kings spent the offseason exploring options to replace Calgary’s top defenseman, but Andersson did not agree to a contract extension during that period, which is a crucial factor in any trade involving the 29-year-old Swede. Andersson is entering the final year of his six-year contract with a $4.55 million cap hit and is a pending unrestricted free agent.
Despite this, Johnston noted that the Kings remain an attractive destination due to their impactful blue line. Andersson is having one of his best seasons, playing in 38 games with 7 goals, 18 assists, and a total of 25 points while leading his team with a career-high average ice time of 24:10 per game.
Based on his current performance, Andersson is on track to surpass his personal records for goals and points, potentially finishing the season with 15 goals and 54 points. His strong season comes with a cost, though, as acquiring him would not be inexpensive for the Kings.
The Kings have previously made bold moves under GM Ken Holland, who recently traded Phillip Danault to the Montreal Canadiens for a second-round pick. Holland may now be preparing to make another significant move to elevate the team’s performance.
Fan Take: This potential trade signals a major shakeup in the NHL’s Pacific Division and highlights the Kings’ ambition to boost their defensive strength. For hockey fans, it’s an exciting development that could lead to more competitive games and a stronger showdown among division rivals.
