- May 21, 2026
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Another one of the top targets in NHL’s unrestricted free agency is off the board and staying put, as the Vegas Golden Knights have re-signed veteran defenseman Rasmus Andersson to a seven-year contract that will come with a salary cap hit of $8.5 million per year.
Andersson was the top-ranked player on Matt Larkin’s UFA board, but he joins a lengthy list of players to choose to sign with their current team rather than find a new home in unrestricted free agency.
For Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon, retaining Andersson is a major box checked for the off-season, as he paid a high price to land the right-handed blueliner at the trade deadline.
Andersson is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, registering 17 goals (personal best) and 47 points in 81 games. Andersson started the season with the Calgary Flames, the club that drafted him 53rd overall in 2015. But with Andersson set to become a UFA, his name was quickly thrust into trade rumors, and he was moved to Vegas in mid-January.
Follow along with Daily Faceoff’s live free agency tracker here.
The 29-year-old would go on to help Vegas advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in franchise history, and first time in his career. The Golden Knights ultimately fell short, but it was still a major milestone in his career, regardless.
Andersson’s personal best season came in 2021-22, when he had 46 assists and 50 points in 82 games with Calgary. He just missed surpassing the total the following year, finishing with 11 goals and 49 points. In all, Andersson has 64 goals, 278 points and 350 penalty minutes in 617 games over 10 years.
Internationally, Andersson has represented Sweden at most major levels, with his lone medal being a bronze from the 2025 IIHF World Championship. Andersson did not record a point in his two appearances with Team Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
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Andersson was the top-ranked player on Matt Larkin’s UFA board, but he joins a lengthy list of players to choose to sign with their current team rather than find a new home in unrestricted free agency.
For Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon, retaining Andersson is a major box checked for the off-season, as he paid a high price to land the right-handed blueliner at the trade deadline.
Andersson is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, registering 17 goals (personal best) and 47 points in 81 games. Andersson started the season with the Calgary Flames, the club that drafted him 53rd overall in 2015. But with Andersson set to become a UFA, his name was quickly thrust into trade rumors, and he was moved to Vegas in mid-January.
Follow along with Daily Faceoff’s live free agency tracker here.
The 29-year-old would go on to help Vegas advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the third time in franchise history, and first time in his career. The Golden Knights ultimately fell short, but it was still a major milestone in his career, regardless.
Andersson’s personal best season came in 2021-22, when he had 46 assists and 50 points in 82 games with Calgary. He just missed surpassing the total the following year, finishing with 11 goals and 49 points. In all, Andersson has 64 goals, 278 points and 350 penalty minutes in 617 games over 10 years.
Internationally, Andersson has represented Sweden at most major levels, with his lone medal being a bronze from the 2025 IIHF World Championship. Andersson did not record a point in his two appearances with Team Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Continue reading...