The Boston Bruins have emerged as the frontrunners for the hottest defenseman on the market.
During the January 16 edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, insider Elliotte Friedman delved into the situation surrounding Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson. Friedman believed that the Bruins were one of the teams involved in negotiations to land Andersson.
Friedman stated:
“I think too, if Boston did it, I suspect it would be with an extension.”
That statement comes with an interesting caveat. If the Bruins pulled the trigger on a deal for Andersson, it would include a contract extension. It’s worth pointing out that Andersson will be an unrestricted free agent (UFA) this summer.
Then, during the January 17 edition of Saturday Headlines, Friedman doubled down on his assessment of the Andersson-Bruins situation. Friedman made it clear that Boston is the frontrunner for Andersson.
Friedman stated:
“Right now, from what I can tell, I think this is true, Boston is the only team that has permission to talk to him (Andersson).”
The bombshell admission alludes to Andersson and his agent getting permission from the Flames to talk to the Bruins about a trade and an extension. Assuming that’s the case, and Friedman is solid, Boston is the frontrunner to land Andersson.
It’s also worth underscoring that the Bruins are surprise suitors as the Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings have been the teams generally believed to have a bead on Andersson.
Why Bruins Want Andersson
Beyond the evident talent and experience that Andersson brings to the table, the Bruins could use another solid defenseman on their blue line. After Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, the Bruins don’t really have another high-end blueliner.
Nikita Zadorov is a good, physical defenseman. He’s a left-shot and would make a great pair with Andersson, who’s a right-shot. Andersson immediately upgrades the Bruins’ offensive profile from the backend.
As such, adding Andersson would be a huge boost to the Bruins’ chances of making it back to the playoffs this season.
Acquisition Cost Likely High for Andersson
The Acquisition cost for Rasmus Andersson is likely high. The cost likely begins with a first-round pick and a roster player or solid prospect. The Bruins have two first-round picks this season. Plus, a defensive prospect like Frederic Brunet may entice the Flames.
However, that’s hearsay at this point, as the official price tag for Andersson has not been revealed. Because of that high acquisition cost, the Bruins likely want to have some assurance of a contract extension.
Trading for Andersson, without an extension in place, would make him an expensive rental. The Bruins are not in a position to go all-in on a pricey rental player. Acquiring Andersson at this point is about positioning the club for future success.
The sense is that a deal could go through before the Olympics begin early next month. So, there could be some interesting developments in the coming days. While there’s no anticipated timeline, as Friedman noted, things can quickly change with a phone call.
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