Vegas Golden Knights have never been shy about making bold roster moves, and as the NHL trade market begins to heat up, Vegas is once again at the center of speculation. According to league insiders, the Golden Knights are positioning themselves as a strong landing spot for an elite top-four defenseman—one who could immediately stabilize their blue line.
That name is Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames.
Vegas Golden Knights actively seeking blue-line upgrade
Vegas has consistently operated as one of the NHL’s most aggressive franchises, prioritizing roster upgrades regardless of cost.
With the absence of Alex Pietrangelo this season creating a noticeable void on the right side of the defense, the Golden Knights are widely viewed as a team in need of a high-end, right-shot blueliner.
Insider Pierre LeBrun, writing in a December 24 piece for The Athletic, identified Andersson as an ideal target for Vegas, noting that trade discussions between the two teams nearly materialized earlier this year.
“Why a trade to Vegas? Well, to start, it came pretty close to happening in June. And in my mind, the Knights still have a hole in their lineup from Alex Pietrangelo missing the season,” LeBrun wrote.
Why Rasmus Andersson fits Vegas
Andersson has been a fixture in trade rumors dating back to last season, largely due to his reliability as a top-four defenseman and his ability to log heavy minutes. His right-shot profile makes him particularly valuable, especially for a Vegas roster that thrives on defensive structure and transition play.
Although a previous deal fell through, the circumstances have changed. Vegas’ defensive needs have become more pronounced, while Calgary remains open to moving Andersson under the right conditions.
However, LeBrun pointed out that Vegas Golden Knights would need to adjust their offer, as previous trade pieces are no longer available.
“The problem is that Vegas would have to find a new way to entice the Flames, as the Knights have traded away some of the players who were in the June trade discussion (such as Nicolas Hague to the Nashville Predators),” LeBrun noted.
Contract extension adds intrigue to potential deal
One factor that strengthens Vegas’ case is Andersson’s willingness to commit long-term. According to LeBrun, Calgary prefers to move Andersson with an extension in place to maximize trade value—and Vegas may already have an advantage.
“But here’s another reason I like Vegas Golden Knights as a fit: The Flames know that in a perfect world, they trade Andersson with an agreement that he’ll sign an extension with his new team, to augment the trade return. Andersson was willing to extend with Vegas in the summer as part of a potential trade. Let’s see both clubs revisit this scenario then.”