Vegas Trade Pitch Lands Perfect Alex Pietrangelo Successor

When Alex Pietrangelo announced this summer that he was stepping away from the ice, the Vegas Golden Knights lost more than a veteran right-shot defenseman. They lost a cornerstone of identity, leadership, and resilience. 

But Pietrangelo’s decision wasn’t voluntary. It was medically mandated.  

Battling severe hip issues that failed to respond to treatment, the 35-year-old defenseman faces the daunting prospect of bilateral femur reconstruction, which Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon said in a statement comes with “no guarantee of success.” Though not officially retiring, Pietrangelo’s knowledge that a return to elite competition is unlikely underscores the gravity. 

“I know this is the right decision for me and my family,” Pietrangelo said. 

Since joining the team in 2020, Pietrangelo was more than a player in Vegas. After captaining the St. Louis Blues to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2019, Pietrangelo helped lead the Knights to their inaugural 2023 title. A dependable 20-plus minute performer and an in-room anchor through the tough postseason battles, Pietrangelo brought an unmatched mix of professionalism, poise, and championship pedigree to the Vegas dressing room. 

And now, with Pietrangelo’s absence looming, the Golden Knights are reportedly zeroing in on Rasmus Andersson, a right-shot, top-four D-man from Calgary.  

Acquiring Rasmus Andersson Would Fill Vegas Void After Loss of Alex Pietrangelo

Andersson is entering the final year of a six-year deal that’s been a bargain for Calgary at $4.55 million annually. He’s been their minute-muncher and power-play quarterback, logging over 23 minutes per game last season. But Flames GM Craig Conroy can’t risk losing him for nothing next summer, and with extension talks falling apart, the market has been put on alert 

There’s no shortage of suitors, but Andersson’s limited no-trade clause changes the math. Summer rumors suggest Andersson holds the real leverage over which teams Calgary can negotiate with, and reports indicate that Vegas could be a favored destination. 

Still, the price will be steep.  

An ideal package from Vegas would balance Calgary’s need for NHL-ready talent and future assets with the Golden Knights’ cap gymnastics. Think Trevor Connelly, the 2024 first-round pick with high-end offensive upside who’s been working to move past pre-draft off-ice concerns, and Mathieu Cataford, a productive two-way forward with a mature game who’s close to NHL-ready. Add a 2026 or 2027 second-round pick, and you’ve got a blend of present-and-future value the Flames covet. 

Vegas would almost certainly need to move a contract the other way — a depth player like Ben Hutton or Colton Sissons — to make the money work. But the overall package checks Calgary’s boxes without gutting the Knights’ current roster. 

Getting Rasmus Andersson Would Fit Vegas Style for All-In Moves

This isn’t just about filling a lineup spot; it’s about restoring an identity. Pietrangelo was more than a point producer — he was a calming influence under pressure and a playoff-tested voice in the room. Andersson’s game isn’t a carbon copy, but his strengths fit the vacancy perfectly. 

At 6-foot-1 and over 200 pounds, he’s mobile enough to handle top matchups, and he’s proven to be durable, playing 78-plus games in each of the past four seasons. Andersson’s hockey IQ shows in transition play, and on the man advantage, his puck distribution could help sustain a Vegas power play that was among the best in the NHL last season.  

There’s always risk in paying a premium for a player entering his contract year, but Andersson’s rumored willingness to sign an extension in Vegas is the insurance policy. And for a franchise built on aggressive, all-in moves — from Mark Stone to Jack Eichel — this fits the pattern. 

If the Golden Knights pull it off, they’ll be swapping out one of the NHL’s premier right-shot defensemen for another without missing a season in between. In a Western Conference where the margins are razor-thin, that kind of continuity might be the difference between another banner and a summer of what-ifs. 

Right now, it comes down to whether McCrimmon is ready to part with two quality young forwards and a high pick to close the deal. The clock’s ticking — and with Andersson’s list limiting Calgary’s options, the Golden Knights might never get a cleaner shot at replacing Pietrangelo in one move.