While Bruins’ fans await the outcome of the Rasmus Andersson chase, the B’s had to make two moves on Sunday.
The club moved defenseman Henri Jokiharju to a non-roster designation due to a family matter and recalled fellow right-shot defenseman Billy Sweezey from Providence.
Sweezey had traveled with the club as insurance on the two-game road trip because of a lower-body injury to Andrew Peeke. But before Saturday’s win over Chicago, Hampus Lindholm was activated off injured reserve and Sweezey was reassigned. Now he’s back in the NHL for the time being. The team traveled on Sunday to Dallas, where it will take on the Stars on Tuesday.
As for Andersson, there was no word as of late Sunday afternoon where the Calgary Flames defenseman would land. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday night that the Bruins were the only team to date that has been given permission to speak with the impending unrestricted free agent’s camp about an extension, which would be a must for the B’s. In their still-retooling state, they wouldn’t/shouldn’t be interested in a rental.
But there’s not guarantee the two sides can come to terms and the B’s are not the only team interested in the 29-year-old Andersson. The Vegas Golden Knights, who will be in Boston on Thursday, are also believed to have a strong interest.
If the B’s acquire Andersson, he would fit in nicely on the second pairing with fellow Swede Hampus Lindholm. His currently contract is paying him $4.55 million a season and he no doubt would be looking for a healthy raise. How high the B’s would be willing to go for a second pairing defenseman remains to be seen.
