Remember how bad Rasmus Andersson was when he was paired with Parker Wotherspoon? The pair was seen as an absolute liability that couldn't produce anything. That was before Wotherspoon went down with an upper-body injury.
Now? Andersson is thriving with Jeremy Lauzon on his opposite side. The Swedish Olympian scored two goals and two assists last week, helping the Golden Knights win three straight games. Not only that, but he's also blocking shots by registering four this week. Is this finally the Andersson that fans have been waiting for?
Indeed, something ain't right. This certainly couldn't be the same Andersson who only scored six assists during last season's Stanley Cup Final run, could it? I mean, that's not the same guy who signed a seven-year extension worth $8.5 million annually, right? No, it couldn't be the same guy who did all of that during the summer, only for the fans to turn on him.
But it is. Believe it or not, that sudden line change has awakened the monster inside Andersson. Suddenly, he's not afraid to rip a shot near the point. He's also setting up his teammates in transition, adding more to the rush.
The result? A Golden Knights attack with another dimension. We're talking about stretching the ice and finding open seams for high-danger chances. That's what the Golden Knights wanted from him when they acquired him and that's exactly what they're getting.
How effective has Rasmus Andersson been with Jeremy Lauzon paired with him?
Now, the sample size might be small, as will be any sample size to start the season. That's especially true with Lauzon and Andersson having less ice time together (48.5 minutes together, according to MoneyPuck). But the statistics show how much better Lauzon has made Andersson, compared to Wotherspoon.
Pairing | xGoals Against | Goals For | Goals Against | Goals For Per 60 Minutes | Goals Against Per 60 Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wotherspoon-Andersson | 3.4 | 1 | 7 | 0.72 | 5.04 |
Lauzon-Andersson | 1.3 | 3 | 0 | 3.72 | 0 |
The obvious thing that jumps out is the offensive production. The Swedish Olympian feels much more comfortable with an established hitter in Lauzon since the ex-Nashville Predator takes those defensive responsibilities off of him. But that's the surprising thing. The pairing does much better defensively as opposed to Parker Wotherspoon and Andersson being together.
Lauzon has a penchant for hitting people and knocking them out. Yes, that might mean he gets a penalty or two. However, he also makes Andersson more responsible, as proven by his four blocked shots last week.
Another thing to consider is how Wotherspoon was due for a drop-off. Last season, he had 27 assists, which sounds nice. But further glance reveals that only 12 were primary, which doesn't point to a sustainable campaign the next season. That has certainly been the case since the former Pittsburgh Penguin has no points.
So what will happen when Wotherspoon returns? Does he get back with Andersson since Lauzon and Noah Hanifin have had modest success? Personally, no. You ride out a pair like this, especially since the story's hero has finally found his stride.
If the Golden Knights finally get their money's worth from their prized defenseman, that's great news for the team this season... and beyond. Think about how you wanted your investment to thrive under the right circumstances. That's what Andersson's getting with his latest pairing.
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