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Are the Maple Leafs trading for Rasmus Andersson? What’s going on in Toronto?
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in trouble. In the tight Eastern Conference, Toronto is only two points outside of the second Wild Card Position. However, they are the third-worst team in the standings. Only the Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres are below them.
The Maple Leafs are 5-4-1 in their last 10, but a few injuries have their playoff hopes teetering on the edge. One new rumor has the team connected to Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames.
Unfortunately for the Maple Leafs, this raises more questions than answers.
Toronto Maple Leafs Connected to Rasmus Andersson
Two sources have recently connected the Maple Leafs with the top blueliner in Calgary.
Jay Rosehill of the Leafs Morning Take podcast revealed on a recent episode that the Maple Leafs were actively pursuing Andersson.
“Interesting, I’ve got a guy in the league who says ‘the Toronto Maple Leafs are actively trying hard to get Rasmus Andersson,” Rosehill said on the November 13 episode. “Obviously, the trust that is at the top of the Toronto Maple Leafs totem pole is not happy with what they are watching. It’s just so interesting (on) what they think would make the team better, who they think would do that, and how they intend to go about getting that.”
“Changing this roster is as difficult as ever…you’re draft picks are all gone, you don’t have prospects that anyone is too keen on. So to make a valuable change to this roster is just no easy task.”
Andersson, 29, was the 53rd overall selection for the Flames in the 2015 draft. The 6-foot-1, 202 lb right-handed defender has recorded six points in 19 games this year, while averaging 24:10 per game.
Potential Trade Package For Andersson Revealed?
The second report reveals specific pieces that could potentially exchange hands if this kind of deal goes through.
Tem Lassila’s report reveals the players who would find themselves playing in a different city in Canada.
“Per sources, Rasmus Andersson will be traded from #Flames to #LeafsForever,” Lassila wrote on social media on November 13, 2025. “Return sounds like Maccelli & a 2027 2nd or Robertson & prospect & 2027 2nd. Hearing the 2028 first is off the table. David Kampf was the cap dump for this.”
Nick Robertson being linked to a new team isn’t anything new for the Toronto Maple Leafs. More than one report has revealed that Robertson is likely playing out his final season with the Maple Leafs. However, his potential as a goal-scorer in the NHL has created a pause in consummating a deal.
Is the Maple Leafs’ need on defense the last straw that forces a trade?
Recent Activity Blocks a Trade
A slew of activity on the Maple Leafs front is further clouding the issue. On Friday, November 14th, Toronto made several roster moves.
Auston Matthews was placed on injured reserve while Easton Cowan and Joseph Woll were recalled. Artur Akhtyamov was also sent down to the Toronto Marlies.
After those moves were made, the Maple Leafs are left with $482,187 in salary cap space. That’s considerably less than Andersson’s $4.55 million cap hit.
Because of the limited cap space, it makes more sense for the Maple Leafs to trade Matias Maccelli over Robertson. However, Maccelli makes over $1 million less than Andersson. So any trade to acquire the righty needs to be accompanied by sending another player to the AHL, in the very least.
Of course, all of this comes without mention of the goaltending situation. Anthony Stolarz is injured, which forced the early return of Woll from his conditioning stint. Woll’s $3.66 million cap hit, combined with Cowan’s ELC deal ($873,500), would have been the space the team needed to make this deal without it being a “money-in money-out” transaction.
Is Andersson the answer to the Maple Leafs’ problems? It’s entirely possible. However, until another show drops, it’s highly unlikely to happen right now.
Caleb Kerney Caleb covers the NHL for Heavy.com. He has covered professional hockey since 2022, including bylines at Dobber Prospects, The Hockey Writers, and The Hockey News. More about Caleb Kerney
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