Flames' ask from Leafs for Rasmus Andersson now known; no chance the Leafs do this deal
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The Flames have set their asking price from the Maple Leafs in exchange for defenseman Rasmus Andersson, and there's a zero percent chance the Leafs go for it.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are still awaiting word from the Chris Tanev camp in terms of whether or not the veteran defenseman will be undergoing surgery and if he'll play again this season.
As you can imagine, this has Leafs GM Brad Treliving exploring all potential options and ready to pounce as soon as a deal to his liking comes his way. Unfortunately, it does not appear that there is a deal to be made between the Leafs and Flames.
Earlier this season, and dating back several seasons, the Leafs have reportedly expressed a keen interest in acquiring right-shot defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Flames.
No deal has yet materialized, and as Daily Faceoff's Mike Gould has pointed out this week, it may be because the Leafs do not have many enticing pieces that they're willing to move, and because the Flames are still hesitant to do a deal with former Flames GM Brad Treliving since he jumped ship and joined the Maple Leafs' front office.
Flames set lofty asking price from Leafs in a Rasmus Andersson deal
There have been previous reports of a "Leafs tax" in effect in Calgary, and that any deal the Flames and Leafs complete will have to be a serious overpay on Treliving's part. With this newest report from Gould, it appears that those previous reports have legs.
According to Gould, the Flames have set the asking price for Andersson at Leafs star Matthew Knies.
There's simply no way the Leafs do that deal, unless the Flames were willing to up the ante and toss in a prospect and a 1st round pick. Even then, Knies' unique blend of size and skill are a rare commodity, and Treliving may not wish to part with him, as you can't just draft or pick up the phone and acquire another Matthew Knies.
With that, the hope is that we can put the "Andersson to Toronto" rumours to bed, at least for now. There's still a chance that the Flames don't receive an offer to their liking and that the ask may become more reasonable before they potentially lose Andersson for nothing in free agency this summer.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 8 | 731 ANSWERS Flames' ask from Leafs for Rasmus Andersson now known; no chance the Leafs do this deal Would you trade Matthew Knies for Rasmus Andersson if the Flames threw in a 1st round pick and a prospect? | ||
| Yes | 129 | 17.6 % |
| No | 602 | 82.4 % |
| List of polls | ||