On Monday, Vegas Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon met with the media prior to the team’s 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers.
McCrimmon began with a statement about Sunday’s trade, in which the Golden Knights acquired Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames.
“In Rasmus, we get a high-end defenseman,” began McCrimmon. “He drives possession, he can make plays, he’s good in transition, he’s aggressive in the offensive zone. He’s played a lot for the Flames, played a lot of hard minutes for their team. And we think he’s really going to add to our hockey club.
“I think that he’s going to help our team speed by being able to move the puck and transport the puck, either carrying it or passing it,” McCrimmon continued. “He can make plays. And I think, to win, there’s a point where you need to have playmakers on your team. He, for me, is a guy who can do that.
“[Andersson] produces offensively. He’s got a very hard shot, and he creates a lot of offense deep in the offensive zone. He’s one of the top-ranked defensemen at completing plays into the slot,” McCrimmon finished. “And I think he really adds to our group.”
McCrimmon then shifted gears and spoke about who the Golden Knights had to part with: Zach Whitecloud.
“Zach Whitecloud, just a tremendous story,” praised McCrimmon. “He was a college free agent who played two years in the American Hockey League in Chicago, joined our team, and was a mainstay ever since. Character through the roof; very popular, well-liked teammate. We wish him all the best in Calgary… I hope he does great.”
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McCrimmon’s relationship with Whitecloud began before he signed with the Golden Knights in 2018.
“I’ve known him since he was a young guy,” McCrimmon continued. “I watched him play bantam hockey, midget hockey, junior hockey, college hockey, and was really proud of him being able to accomplish what he did in our organization.”
McCrimmon said Whitecloud’s character even extended to their conversation about the trade.
“Yesterday, speaking with Zach, he could not have been classier,” finished McCrimmon. “He was obviously disappointed– loved everything about playing in Las Vegas, the organization, his teammates– but he understands. He was very gracious of his time here, as we are to him, with the time that he spent in our organization.”
McCrimmon confirmed that the Golden Knights had spoken with the Flames last offseason. He ultimately decided to strike now because Andersson’s trade timeline was unique.
“I think a lot of people thought that, leading into the Olympic break, there might be a lot more activity,” said McCrimmon. “And when you go through all the rosters of the teams going to the Olympics, the one prominent player from those teams that might be on the move was Rasmus Andersson. So, his timeline, in some respects, was a little bit different than some of the other players that might be traded along the way.
“I’ve felt for a while that the longest Calgary would go before trading Rasmus would be the Olympic break. Because I don’t think, if you’re in their position, you want the player going to the Olympics, potentially risking an injury that would cost them a significant opportunity,” McCrimmon finished.
Over the summer, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Andersson preferred Vegas as a landing spot. That clearly hadn’t changed.
“He’s really excited to be joining our team,” said McCrimmon.
