Rasmus Andersson Traded from Calgary Flames to Vegas Golden Knights Amid Mixed Emotions and Logistical Delays

Swedish defenseman Rasmus Andersson has officially been traded from the Calgary Flames to the Vegas Golden Knights, marking the end of a decade-long tenure with Calgary. The 29-year-old, who served as an alternate captain and a key player over more than 600 games, expressed mixed emotions about the move. Andersson shared, "It feels sad to leave a place where I practically grew up," while also expressing excitement about joining a team with strong championship aspirations.

The trade was completed in exchange for defenseman Zach Whitecloud, prospect Abram Wiebe, a first-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, and a conditional second-round pick if the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup this season. Calgary Flames will retain half of Andersson's salary for the remainder of this season, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.

Andersson's move to Vegas is momentarily delayed due to visa processing; he is currently in Calgary awaiting an American work permit, which could take up to a week. He expects to join the Golden Knights during their upcoming road trip through the Eastern USA and Canada. The defenseman is also preparing for the imminent Winter Olympics, where he will represent Sweden's Tre Kronor team. His family plans to relocate to Las Vegas following the Olympics.

Mikael Backlund, Andersson's close friend and Flames teammate, acknowledged the impact of the trade, noting Andersson was enjoying one of his best seasons and that his departure leaves a significant void for the Flames.

Despite the bittersweet farewell, Andersson looks forward to new opportunities in Vegas, particularly training in the Summerlin area and joining fellow Swedish players like William Karlsson. While there had been speculation about a possible move to the Boston Bruins or Los Angeles Kings, Andersson ultimately landed with the Golden Knights, a team he views as a top contender.

This transition is both a poignant farewell to Calgary and a hopeful step forward in Andersson's NHL career.