Mitch Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights will be getting a big boost heading into their much-anticipated matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night.
The Golden Knights announced that recently acquired defenceman Rasmus Andersson is expected to make his team debut in Toronto (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT).
Vegas acquired the 29-year-old from the Calgary Flames on Monday in exchange for defenceman Zach Whitecloud, prospect Abram Wiebe, a conditional 2027 first-round pick, and a conditional 2028 second-round pick.
Andersson had yet to make his debut for the Golden Knights, however, as the team was in Vegas and then in Boston for two games, while the Swedish defenceman was dealing with immigration issues, according to head coach Bruce Cassidy.
With the Maple Leafs hosting the Golden Knights on Friday — Marner's first game back at Scotiabank Arena since leaving in free agency — Andersson's debut with just his second team through 10 seasons has arrived.
Mitch Marner returns to Toronto on Sportsnet
Mitch Marner and the Golden Knights visit Toronto for the first time since Marner's move to Vegas. You can watch the game Friday on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
Broadcast schedule
The veteran blue-liner made 48 appearances with the Flames this year, logging 10 goals (tied for ninth-most in the NHL amongst defenceman) and 20 assists for a plus-three mark. His 30 points were also the third-most on Calgary's roster.
Andersson also ranked second on the team in assists, power-play goals (four), time on ice (1,163:19) and blocked shots (90), while sitting third in takeaways (18).
He'll now bring that production to a Golden Knights team that's sitting first in the Pacific Division — opposed to the seventh-place Flames — thanks to a 24-13-12 record.
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