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Rasmus Andersson is Officially One Step Closer to Joining the Toronto Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Imagn Images
Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson has been dealing with trade rumors as of late, and Mikael Backlund is claiming the validity of those rumors.
Rasmus Andersson and the Calgary Flames appear to be on the outs right now, as the team has asked the defenseman for a list of teams he would like to be traded to.
As we recently reported, Andersson refused to provide a list. For all intents and purposes, he has no interest in being traded. Although just like Jacob Trouba and the New York Rangers last season, it appears as though this is inevitable.
In fact, in a recent interview during the European Media Tour, Flames star Mikael Backlund all but confirmed that Andersson is moving on.
Mikael Backlund claims Rasmus Andersson is done in Calgary
He told reporters that it is obvious and that all sides need to just accept it. However, he did explain how Andersson's goal is to play as well as he can.
Andersson also wants to refrain from being a distraction, which is an admirable goal when you consider the situation at hand.
Yeah, he's getting traded. It's obvious. But the team wants value. He wants a big contract. So he wants to play well. The team needs him to play well. So, just go out and play.
I talked to him, too, and he doesn't want to be a distraction. So it's all good. It's too bad it's come to this. I don't think that they're close to getting an agreement or anything, but you never know. Things could change. We'll see.
I talked to him, too, and he doesn't want to be a distraction. So it's all good. It's too bad it's come to this. I don't think that they're close to getting an agreement or anything, but you never know. Things could change. We'll see.
This puts Andersson one step closer to potentially joining the Toronto Maple Leafs, as they have been an interested party in the defenseman.
With talks going nowhere on Calgary's end, the Leafs have been unable to engage. Although with Backlund's comments in focus, perhaps now is the time for the Leafs to take a stab at things.
They could use a right-handed puck-moving defenseman, and Andersson fits that mould perfectly, even if he is coming off a down year.
With the season set to begin in October, it will be fascinating to see what the Leafs decide to do.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 27 | 129 ANSWERS Rasmus Andersson is Officially One Step Closer to Joining the Toronto Maple Leafs Should the Toronto Maple Leafs pursue Rasmus Andersson? | ||
| YES | 99 | 76.7 % |
| NO | 30 | 23.3 % |
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