Bruins reportedly in ‘driver’s seat’ for Rasmus Andersson commerce
Boston Bruins
“I imagine they’re the one staff that has been given permission to speak to Andersson.”
Might 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 response to a number of stories on Saturday, the Bruins are firmly within the combine for Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson — who is anticipated to be on the transfer within the coming weeks.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman famous on Saturday’s Hockey Night time in Canada broadcast that there are a number of groups occupied with plucking the minutes-eating blueliner out of Calgary.
Nevertheless, he added that the Bruins could be 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 have been , or different groups that perhaps they hadn’t heard as a lot from but, I heard right this moment, and so they mentioned we need to determine if we’re going to proceed with this so we would like everyone’s most critical provide. That’s taking place,” Friedman mentioned.
“The staff that seems to be within the driver’s seat, though nothing is finished till it’s carried out, is Boston. Boston could be very critical about its provide, and nobody is confirming or denying this, however I imagine they’re the one staff that has been given permission to speak to Andersson, and I do imagine they’ve carried out some fairly vital extension talks.
“Nothing is finished till it’s carried out. Each issues should work out. The Bruins should not believed to have an interest on this with out an extension. Vegas is there. It’s not believed their provide is as sturdy as Boston’s, however that’s for now, that may all the time change.”
A protracted-term contract extension can be paramount for Boston to be able to swing a commerce like this. As encouraging as Boston’s play has been because the begin of the brand new 12 months, a retooling Bruins roster just isn’t able to be buying leases.
But when the Bruins have been in a position to commerce for the 29-year-old Andersson and signal him to a long-term deal (very like how Boston dealt for Hampus Lindholm and instantly signed him to an eight-year, $52 million deal in March 2022), it will 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 subsequent few years — whereas Jonathan Aspirot is already proving his worth as a reliable NHLer this season.
There’s lots to love about how Andersson would elevate Boston’s D corps for the subsequent few seasons.
Past his worth as a reliable top-four, right-shot defenseman, Andersson has averaged 24:01 of ice time over the past 4 seasons with Calgary. Because the 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 targets and 30 factors by way of 48 video games for a cellar-dwelling Calgary staff.
As helpful 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 to be able to make the commerce work.
It additionally stays to be seen what the Bruins must hand over to be able to compete such a deal — particularly for such a helpful asset like an impactful right-shot defenseman.
The Bruins might half with youthful gamers on the NHL roster and within the system like Mason Lohrei (recent off a two-goal recreation on Saturday vs. Chicago) and Matthew Poitras. The largest hurdle could be 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 subsequent two years, however the membership will not be prepared to surrender both of their two 2026 first-round picks (both Boston’s personal or Toronto’s choose), particularly in a 12 months the place there must be loads of reliable expertise on this 2026 draft class.
If Calgary is prepared to chew on a 2027 first-round choose — particularly Florida’s first-round choice acquired within the Brad Marchand commerce — that could be much more palatable for Boston.
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