Boston Bruins
“I consider they’re the one staff that has been given permission to speak to Andersson.”
UPDATE: No Andersson for the Bruins, because the Vegas Golden Knights are reportedly buying him from Calgary with no contract extension in place.
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May the Bruins — now winners of six video games in a row and eight of their final 9 video games — be consumers earlier than March’s NHL commerce deadline?
In keeping with a number of reviews on Saturday, the Bruins are firmly within the combine for Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson — who is predicted to be on the transfer within the coming weeks.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman noted on Saturday’s Hockey Evening in Canada broadcast that there are a number of groups eager about plucking the minutes-eating blueliner out of Calgary.
Nonetheless, he added that the Bruins is perhaps the leaders within the clubhouse, as Boston has already began potential contract talks with Andersson if a deal is struck.
“The Flames have known as round to a bunch of groups that had been , or different groups that possibly they hadn’t heard as a lot from but, I heard in the present day, and so they stated we wish to resolve if we’re going to proceed with this so we wish all people’s most severe supply. That’s occurring,” Friedman stated.
“The staff that seems to be within the driver’s seat, though nothing is completed till it’s achieved, is Boston. Boston could be very severe about its supply, and nobody is confirming or denying this, however I consider they’re the one staff that has been given permission to speak to Andersson, and I do consider they’ve achieved some fairly important extension talks.
“Nothing is completed till it’s achieved. Each issues must work out. The Bruins are usually not believed to have an interest on this with out an extension. Vegas is there. It’s not believed their supply is as sturdy as Boston’s, however that’s for now, that may at all times change.”
An extended-term contract extension can be paramount for Boston with a purpose to swing a commerce like this. As encouraging as Boston’s play has been for the reason that begin of the brand new yr, a retooling Bruins roster just isn’t ready to be buying leases.
But when the Bruins had been in a position to commerce for the 29-year-old Andersson and signal him to a long-term deal (very similar to how Boston dealt for Hampus Lindholm and instantly signed him to an eight-year, $52 million deal in March 2022), it could shore up a poor spot on the depth chart for the foreseeable future.
Locking in a D corps that includes the likes of Charlie McAvoy, Nikita Zadorov, Andersson, and Lindholm long-term would give Boston a reasonably stout basis on the blue line for the following few years — whereas Jonathan Aspirot is already proving his worth as a reliable NHLer this season.
There’s quite a bit to love about how Andersson would elevate Boston’s D corps for the following few seasons.
Past his worth as a reliable top-four, right-shot defenseman, Andersson has averaged 24:01 of ice time during the last 4 seasons with Calgary. For the reason that 2023-24 season, solely six gamers have additionally blocked extra pictures than Andersson (472).
Andersson’s presence alone ought to stabilize Boston’s D corps for the lengthy haul, however he’d additionally add one other offensive factor to the staff’s again finish. He has averaged 44.3 factors per season since 2022, and has already scored 10 objectives and 30 factors via 48 video games for a cellar-dwelling Calgary staff.
As useful as a participant like Andersson can be for Boston — particularly as a participant whose age coincides with different franchise stalwarts in David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy — it stays to be seen if Boston can get the veteran defenseman to cross the t’s and dot the i’s on a brand new deal with a purpose to make the commerce work.
It additionally stays to be seen what the Bruins must quit with a purpose to compete such a deal — particularly for such a useful asset like an impactful right-shot defenseman.
The Bruins may half with youthful gamers on the NHL roster and within the system like Mason Lohrei (recent off a two-goal sport on Saturday vs. Chicago) and Matthew Poitras. The largest hurdle is perhaps whether or not or not Boston must half with a first-round choose to finish the commerce.
Boston does have 4 first-round picks over the following two years, however the membership will not be keen to surrender both of their two 2026 first-round picks (both Boston’s personal or Toronto’s choose), particularly in a yr the place there ought to be loads of reliable expertise on this 2026 draft class.
If Calgary is keen to chew on a 2027 first-round choose — particularly Florida’s first-round choice acquired within the Brad Marchand commerce — that is perhaps much more palatable for Boston.
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