The Toronto Maple Leafs may have inadvertently dodged a significant setback by not acquiring defenseman Rasmus Andersson, who was recently traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. While the Maple Leafs were reportedly in pursuit of Andersson, the ultimate cost and the circumstances surrounding the trade suggest that staying put was the prudent move.

Andersson, a right-shot defenseman with a solid track record, was a coveted asset as the trade deadline approached. He has 30 points in 40 games this season. The Calgary Flames were reportedly seeking a substantial return for the player, who is in the final year of his contract. The Golden Knights ultimately met that asking price, surrendering a package including Zach Whitecloud, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick (potentially becoming a first if Vegas wins the Cup), and prospect Abram Wiebe. The Flames are near the bottom of the Pacific Division and are looking to reshape their roster.

For the Maple Leafs, the potential acquisition of Andersson would have addressed the need for a right-handed defenseman, particularly with Chris Tanev's season likely over due to injury. However, the price tag was always a major consideration. The Maple Leafs, already without their own first-round picks in the upcoming drafts, were hesitant to part with valuable assets from their prospect pool or current roster.

The key factor that makes the Maple Leafs' non-involvement a potential stroke of luck is the fact that Andersson did not commit to a contract extension with any team prior to the trade. The Golden Knights acquired him without any guarantee of retaining his services beyond this season. This element of risk is what made the trade a bullet dodged for Toronto.

Had the Maple Leafs surrendered significant assets for Andersson, such as a top prospect like Easton Cowan or a first-round pick, only to see him depart as a free agent in the summer, it would have been a major setback. The team's reluctance to mortgage its future for a short-term rental, especially with no assurances of a long-term commitment from Andersson, appears to have been a wise decision.

While missing out on Andersson might sting in the short term, the Maple Leafs have preserved their assets and maintained flexibility for future moves. They can now explore alternative options to bolster their defense without the burden of a potentially crippling trade. It was rumored that the Maple Leafs may turn their attention to New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton.