Andersson was acquired from Calgary via trade in January. Jeff Bottari / NHLI via Getty ImagesJuly 1, 2026 Updated 1:35 pm EDTThe Vegas Golden Knights have agreed to re-sign defenseman Rasmus Andersson to a seven-year, $59.5 million contract extension ($8.5 million AAV), Chris Johnston of The Athletic reported according to a league source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been completed.Vegas acquired Andersson via a trade from Calgary in January, sending Zach Whitecloud, prospect Abram Wiebe, a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2028 second-round pick to the Flames in exchange for the offensive-minded defenseman.Andersson played 33 regular-season games and 22 playoff games for the Golden Knights after the trade, registering seven goals and 16 assists. He trailed only Shea Theodore in ice time during the postseason, playing heavy minutes alongside Noah Hanifin, but struggled at times throughout the long run.
The signing solidifies the Golden Knights’ blue line for years to come, with Theodore, Hanifin and Andersson all signed through at least 2031-32. The defensive core helped Vegas allow the fewest expected goals per 60 minutes at even strength during the 2025-26 regular season, but the team ranked 18th in actual goals against.Andersson is a strong skater with good offensive instincts, who should contribute on both special teams. His average market value is projected to be $6.8 million over the next seven seasons, according to The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn.He will need to improve his play compared to his performance with Vegas this season to live up to this contract, and has the most room for growth in his own end. Andersson struggled managing his gaps in transition and had costly giveaways in his own end. When he’s at his best, he isn’t afraid to activate deep into the offensive zone for weak-side shots and rebound attempts, and can be a game-changer with the puck on his stick.This extension leaves the Golden Knights with approximately $2.8 million in available cap space, and they still need to sign two more forwards to fill out the minimum 20-man roster.Jul 1, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
