It wasn't that long ago that Rasmus Andersson was looking like a trade bust for the Vegas Golden Knights. Before March 24, the defenseman had two goals and four assists since being acquired from the Calgary Flames. Everything was looking all doom-and-gloom and the newest Golden Knights star was looking like he'd be passed over for Pavel Dorofeyev.
However, a recent surge might have the team thinking otherwise. The Swedish Olympian has four goals and two assists in his last six games, reigniting talks of sticking around with the Golden Knights. While Dorofeyev hasn't been too shabby either, the conversation is starting to include Andersson.
I mean, when you chip in two goals on the power play and a short-handed goal, it makes all the difference in the world. That's especially true when you started getting ot with one coach and kept it going with the other. Imagine how much that helped the team.
The good news? He has a "golden" opportunity to continue that hot stretch against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. He had a goal last Monday against Vancouver, helping Vegas sail to a 4-2 win. Think of the damage that he can do on Tuesday with a team that's just... there... again.
Andersson can silence the doubters on Tuesday with another big game by specializing in one particular area
As mentioned, Andersson has done plenty of damage on special teams. That included a pickpocket on the penalty kill against the Washington Capitals, which led to a goal. Obviously, that's one area where he can strike when the iron's hot.
However, the power play also comes into play, especially with the second unit stepping up. The Goldne Knights have seen this unit pick it up in recent weeks, adding more scoring to the group. That includes Andersson's two goals in the past six games, giving Vegas more firepower.
Of course, that also includes his usual weapons, such as the stretch pass. This is more for regular play, where he's not confined to a smaller space and can catch his opponents off-guard. In turn, it makes the rush much better and adds more potency to what John Tortorella wants to achieve offensively.
The good news is that Vancouver is vulnerable in these areas. The Golden Knights are fourth in high danger chances (677 entering Sunday, stats courtesy of NHL Edge) and the Canucks have the league's worst penalty kill (71.6%). That should give Andersson another opportunity to cook.
If that's the case, he'll move closer to getting himself a nicer payday. That was the hope when Kelly McCrimmon brought him in. Why not go after one of the league's better puck-movers and keep him around? Andersson's puck-moving is starting to be unleashed and would become unlocked for years to come.