The Toronto Maple Leafs had a shaky start to the season, but they are starting to get things back on track. After winning six out of their last 10 games, the Maple Leafs now sport a 15-12-5 record and are sixth in the Atlantic Division standings. While they have more work to do to move up the standings, things are certainly looking better for them than they did at the beginning of the year.
Yet, when looking at the Maple Leafs’ roster, it is clear that they should be looking to make upgrades between now and the 2026 NHL trade deadline. One of their biggest needs is another impactful defenseman, especially when noting that they are dealing with injury trouble on their blueline.
One of the NHL’s top trade candidates right now is Calgary Flames star defenseman Rasmus Andersson. Now, based on a recent report, Andersson is a player that the Maple Leafs have on their radar.
Maple Leafs Have Expressed Interest in Flames’ Andersson
During the latest episode of TSN Insider Trading, Pierre LeBrun reported that Andersson is picking up more trade interest around the league and specifically mentioned the Maple Leafs as one of the suitors for the Flames’ star defenseman.
“One thing I should mention, among the teams that circled back on Rasmus Andersson is the Toronto Maple Leafs,” LeBrun said. “You know, the Maple Leafs tried to trade for Andersson last year at the deadline, and why I mention Toronto is that my understanding is that the Leafs would be one of those teams that perhaps Andersson would consider extending with if, in fact, a trade would work out between these two teams.”
Hearing that the Maple Leafs are expressing interest in Andersson is not surprising in the slightest. It is no secret that the right side of their defense could use a big boost, and bringing in a defenseman like Andersson would certainly provide them with just that.
If the Maple Leafs successfully acquired Andersson from the Flames, he would slot very nicely in their top four. Furthermore, due to his ability to produce offense from the point, he would give the Maple Leafs another clear option to work with for their power play if brought in.
Maple Leafs Will Have a Ton of Competition in Andersson Sweepstakes
With the Vancouver Canucks recently trading superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild, Andersson is now the best blueliner available in the trade market. Due to this, he is going to generate a plethora of interest, so the Maple Leafs are certainly going to have a lot of competition for his services.
Andersson is a proven top-four defenseman who can handle big minutes, chips in offensively, and is well respected as a leader. He also has a great contract, as he has a bargain $4.55 million. All of these elements make him exactly the kind of defenseman that contenders love to add at the deadline.
In 34 games this season with the Flames, Andersson has posted seven goals, 15 assists, and 22 points. With numbers like these, the 6-foot-2 defenseman would be a big-time pickup for the Leafs if acquired.
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