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Toronto Maple Leafs Should Target Rasmus Andersson

Originally posted on Inside The Rink
By Jeremy Ridgewell | Last updated Nov 19, 2025 8:06 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to be decimated by injuries. Team defense is inconsistent, and the forward group lacks stability. Although the Maple Leafs claimed Troy Stecher off waivers from the Edmonton Oilers, the back end could still use some help.

With Brandon Carlo and Chris Tanev both injured, and the non-impactful play of Philippe Myers and Dakota Mermis, adding another defenseman would be a smart move for Toronto GM Brad Treliving. One player who repeatedly appears within league circles is Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson. Many believe he is a realistic trade target for the Maple Leafs.

Toronto and Calgary are both near the bottom of their conferences in the standings. A deal between the two teams could be beneficial. The Flames appear to be heading towards another retooling phase. Andersson is one of the most coveted defencemen on the trade market. The Leafs reportedly attempted to acquire Andersson at the trade deadline last season, but the deal fell short. Could a second attempt by Toronto finally allow them to secure his services?

A Closer Look at Rasmus Andersson

Andersson is a 29-year-old right-shooting defenceman. He was originally drafted by the Flames with the 53rd overall pick in the 2012 draft. It would not be easy for him to leave the only NHL franchise that he’s ever been a part of. During his ten seasons with the Flames, Andersson has developed into a top-four defenceman with a strong two-way game. He is capable of moving the puck efficiently and can play a significant amount of minutes.

Last season, Andersson registered 11 goals and 26 assists for 37 points in 78 games while averaging over 23 minutes per night. The 2021-22 season was his best. He registered four goals and 46 assists for 50 points in 82 games. Andersson is very reliable in his own defensive end, but also has offensive abilities, which makes him the type of defenseman the Maple Leafs should try to acquire.

Toronto Maple Leafs a Good Fit for Andersson

It is no secret that the Maple Leafs’ current defensive situation is a mess, causing some frustration. Tanev and Carlo being out of the lineup hurts, but when players like Jake McCabe and Morgan Reilly are struggling, it makes matters worse. Toronto is giving up goals at an alarming rate, with 3.78 goals against per game through 19 games. Andersson would help to stabilize the defense. He is capable of handling tough matchups against the opponent’s top players. His transition game is good, and he can effectively get the puck to players like William Nylander, John Tavares, and Auston Matthews.

Being a right-handed shot helps the Maple Leafs with balancing both sides in their top four. Finding a right-shot defenseman with Andersson’s skill set is rare. Having him play with Jake McCabe or Oliver Ekman-Larsson could help at both 5-on-5 and on the power play. His ability to add offense, join the rush, and quarterback a power play unit are reasons why Toronto should target Andersson. After missing out on Andersson at last season’s trade deadline, I wouldn’t be surprised if Treliving tried again to acquire a player he is very familiar with.

This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

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