Maple Leafs Trade Target Expected to be Moved Imminently
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski - Imagn Images
Based on recent comments from his own teammate, the Maple Leafs might have to act fast as a trade for Rasmus Andersson seems imminent.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs are still looking to bolster their back-end and acquire a legitimate power play quarterback in the same swing, they better act fast because it sure sounds like Rasmus Andersson is on the move.
The Calgary Flames defenseman has long been involved in trade rumours with the Maple Leafs, where he's been linked every step of the way. Although the Flames have had ample opportunity to move him, they've held off in an attempt to build his trade value.
However, according to a recent report from The Athletic's Michael Russo, a trade is nearly imminent, and that's coming from his teammate, country-man, and captain Mikael Backlund.
Yeah, he's getting traded. It's obvious. But the team wants value. He wants a big contract. So he wants to play well. The team needs him to play well. So, just go out and play. I talked to him, too, and he doesn't want to be a distraction. So it's all good. It's too bad it's come to this. I don't think that they're close to getting an agreement or anything, but you never know. Things could change. We'll see.
Andersson brings all the elements that Brad Treliving is looking for to turn his team around. He has a booming shot, a physical presence, can eat up a ton of minutes, and provides steady defense night-in-and-night-out.
Backlund also mentions that Andersson doesn't want to be a distraction, thereby making it imperative that he gets moved before the season begins. The last thing Calgary would want is constant trade rumours and chatter hanging over their season from the moment the puck drops on opening night.
However, if the Flames do hold out and enter the season with Andersson on the roster, expect a move to take place well before the deadline, like how they operated recently with the trades of Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov.
The Leafs will need to act fast if they want any chance of adding the Swedish blue-liner, especially with the Vegas Golden Knights having been heavily linked as well. This is the perfect opportunity for them to strike and Andersson has the capabilities to play a major role all season long.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 27 | 969 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Trade Target Expected to be Moved Imminently Should the Maple Leafs heavily pursue a trade for Rasmus Andersson before the season starts? | ||
| Yes | 485 | 50.1 % |
| No | 484 | 49.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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