Trade grades: Andersson a perfect fit for Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights bolstered their blue line Sunday by acquiring Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames. Here are the full details of the trade:

* Flames retain 50% of Andersson's $4.55-million cap hit
** top-10 protected
*** becomes first-rounder if Golden Knights win 2026 Stanley Cup

How did each team make out in the deal? We hand out grades below.

Vegas Golden Knights

It was always going to be Vegas, wasn't it? The Golden Knights were reportedly Andersson's preferred destination when his name started circulating in trade rumors this past offseason. And while an extension for the pending unrestricted free agent isn't part of this deal, I'd be shocked if the two sides don't eventually come to an agreement. The extremely aggressive Golden Knights front office always seems to get what it wants.

Andersson immediately became a logical trade target for Vegas after Alex Pietrangelo announced in June that he's unlikely to resume his playing career due to hip injuries. Pietrangelo's absence left a gaping hole on the right side of Vegas' blue line, but Andersson is more than capable of filling it. He's a strong puck-mover and great shot-blocker who competes extremely hard. Upgrading from Whitecloud to Andersson is worth the cost of the draft picks for the Golden Knights, especially considering a familiar face on Vegas' blue line should help Andersson feel at home.

Andersson and Noah Hanifin were defense partners in Calgary for three seasons before the Flames traded Hanifin to Vegas in 2024. In 216 games together from 2021-24, Andersson and Hanifin controlled 54% of the expected goals and 56.8% of the actual goals when on the ice together at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick.

Hanifin and Whitecloud never jelled as well as hoped, but Hanifin and Andersson are a strong enough No. 1 pairing to win a Stanley Cup. The rest of Vegas' defense corps slots in nicely behind them: Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb (when healthy) make a stellar second pair, and Jeremy Lauzon and Kaedan Korczak are an enviable third pairing.

The Golden Knights need to get some saves from their goaltenders in order to go on a deep playoff run, but few - if any - netminders in the NHL have a better blue line in front of them.

Grade: A-

Calgary Flames

The Flames were placed in a difficult position and made out pretty well, all things considered. After the deal, general manager Craig Conroy revealed that Andersson told the club Sunday morning that he wasn't willing to sign an extension as part of any trade. Conroy said that some teams reduced their offers or withdrew them altogether in response. That significantly limited Calgary's chances of creating a bidding war.

There's also inherent risk in waiting it out. What if Vegas pivoted to another target? What if Andersson got hurt between now and the deadline? Remember, he's heading to the Olympics for Team Sweden.

Conroy will be able to sleep knowing he got a competent return for his best trade chip, even if the package heading his way lacks upside.

Whitecloud is 29 years old and an extremely reliable bottom-pair defenseman. He'll play hard minutes higher in Calgary's lineup out of necessity, which isn't a bad thing for a rebuilding club. It could also boost his trade value. Whitecloud is signed through 2027-28 at a very reasonable $2.75-million cap hit. The Flames could get a decent return if they decide to move Whitecloud at the 2027 or 2028 trade deadline.

Wiebe, a 6-foot-3 defenseman at the University of North Dakota, isn't a highly touted prospect. It'll be a nice bonus for the Flames if the 2022 seventh-round pick becomes an NHL regular at any point.

For Calgary, the primary assets are the picks. The Flames already own the Golden Knights' 2026 first-rounder as part of the Hanifin trade. Now they have their 2027 first-rounder and potentially their 2028 first-rounder if Vegas wins the Cup this year. This trade would become a massive win for both sides if the Golden Knights are the last team standing this year.

Grade: B