The Boston Bruins didn’t make many waves at the trade deadline, but they’re still right in the playoff mix. With the team sitting in a wild-card position and pushing for a deep postseason run, the front office may already be thinking ahead.
One name that continues to surface is defenseman Rasmus Andersson, who could once again become a target if he reaches free agency this summer.
Why Rasmus Andersson Is Back on the Boston Bruins’ Radar
Boston was heavily linked to Andersson earlier in the season, and while a deal never materialized, the interest hasn’t disappeared. The right-shot defenseman is in the final year of his six-year, $27.3 million contract.
Andersson landed in Vegas after being traded by the Flames in a notable midseason deal. The Golden Knights sent defenseman Zach Whitecloud, prospect Abram Wiebe, and conditional first- and second-round draft picks to acquire him. The move added offensive punch to Vegas’ blue line but also created a complicated salary-cap situation heading into the offseason.
Those contract uncertainties have opened the door for speculation. Boston, meanwhile, still has a clear need for a top-pairing, right-shot defenseman, exactly the type of role Andersson could fill.
Analyst Jason Gregor compared Andersson’s situation to John Klingberg’s free-agency path a few years ago.
“I could see Rasmus Andersson in a similar spot as John Klingberg a few years ago. Klingberg turned down a long-term deal and ended up signing a short-term deal in free agency. The way Andersson is playing right now, why would any GM give him term,” Gregor said.
Despite the uncertainty, Andersson has been a solid addition for Vegas. He’s provided offensive support from the blue line and has chipped in 10 points in 25 games since joining the Golden Knights. He’s also coming off a strong performance with a goal and an assist in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals, showing the kind of production that keeps him on teams’ radar.
NHL analyst Scott McLaughlin weighed in, noting that Boston’s previous interest could resurface depending on how the market develops.
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“Interesting situation. Obviously there was a lot of smoke around Boston and Andersson this season. Wonder if either/both would revisit in what could be a different market for Andersson than anticipated,” McLaughlin said.
Vegas has yet to sign Andersson to an extension, and if that remains the case, he could hit the open market on July 1. That scenario would give Boston another opportunity to pursue the defenseman without needing to give up assets in a trade.
For now, the Bruins remain focused on the ice as they continue their playoff push, with their next matchup coming against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
