Rasmus Andersson makes strong impression in Golden Knights debut

TORONTO — On a night when it was already going to be full of emotion, the Vegas Golden Knights, welcomed their newest addition with defenseman Rasmus Andersson making his debut Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Andersson, who skated Friday morning with the Knights’ healthy scratches in his first action with the team, had an assist and two shots in 21:33 while skating with Noah Hanifin.

“I felt great, honestly,” Andersson said after the Knights’ 6-3 win in Toronto. “Obviously some new stuff to get used to, but it felt great. It feels good to be here.

The Knights reassigned defenseman Jaycob Megna back to Henderson in a corresponding move.

Mitch Marner’s long-awaited return to Toronto dominated headlines, but the game also turned into the anticipated debut of the most coveted player on the trade market.

Andersson was acquired by the Knights on Sunday in a trade with Calgary that saw defenseman Zach Whitecloud, two draft picks and prospect Abram Wiebe head to the Flames.

“It feels like a long time ago that I got traded,” Andersson said. “It felt better and better as the game went on.”

Andersson’s debut had been on hold because of immigration delays that held up the Sweden native from joining the Knights in the United States. Andersson joined the Knights in Boston but arrived too late to suit up for Thursday’s game against the Bruins.

Andersson first flew to Las Vegas once his visa status was resolved to get his wife Tessa and their two children settled before joining the team in Boston.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” he said. “It definitely has. I think the shock from getting traded and all that kind of stuff, it feels like it hits you a few days later. Super excited to be here.”

Andersson had 30 points through 48 games with Calgary while averaging a career-high 24:14 of ice time. The 29-year-old has 261 points in 584 career games.

His role is going to be important, but it’ll be scaled down compared to what he did in Calgary. Andersson was on the top power play unit, the top penalty killing unit and led at five-on-five.

“Good puck mover. On his toes,” Knights coach Bruce Cassidy said when asked to evaluate Andersson’s performance. “Kind of assertive with his decision-making.”

Cassidy said in the third period, Andersson was making “money” plays that were similar to the ones Alex Pietrangelo could make in a pinch. That when the game’s on the line, he’ll block a shot, make the right play and put out fires defensively.

“I like that,” he said. “He probably should only get better with us.”

Andersson spent the first nine-plus years of his career in Calgary as a second-round pick in 2015. With Calgary nearing a rebuild, Andersson was hoping for a change of scenery to a place that can help him win.

He thinks the Knights are the spot to make that happen.

“I’ve had a great time in Calgary. I loved every second of it,” Andersson said. “I can’t say good enough things about that organization. But at the same time, it was time for them and it was time for me to try something different. I couldn’t be happier to be here.

“You look at this lineup, this is a real contender and that’s what I wanted to go to.”

Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.