Rasmus Andersson handshake deal with Vegas gains traction

Matt Murley asserted on Spittin’ Chicklets that Rasmus Andersson already inked a handshake deal worth $8.5 million per year with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Podcast speculation fuels extension rumors

Matt Murley stated during the Spittin’ Chicklets episode that Andersson reached an eight-and-a-half million dollar handshake agreement with Vegas. Ray Whitney immediately questioned the claim while Paul Bissonnette pressed for clarification on whether any formal commitment existed. Murley doubled down by confirming the figure and insisting the deal was already in place.

The discussion contrasted Andersson’s situation with other pending free agents who lack similar verbal commitments. Bissonnette highlighted the risk that Vegas management might not honor an informal agreement once negotiations reach the formal stage. Murley countered that the terms were locked despite the lack of paperwork.

Andersson himself expressed strong desire to remain in Vegas in recent comments shared by SinBin.Vegas. He praised the organization and specifically mentioned wanting to continue working with general manager Kelly McCrimmon. These public statements align with the podcast narrative of an agreement already reached behind closed doors.

Contract figures and competing offers

Mike Grinnell added during the same episode that the Boston Bruins had nearly agreed to a nine million dollar annual deal before Andersson ultimately favored Vegas. This detail underscores the premium placed on the defenseman’s services across the league. The eight-and-a-half million dollar figure therefore sits comfortably within the range of serious offers he received.

PuckPedia currently lists Andersson as an unrestricted free agent whose prior six-year contract carried a $4.55 million cap hit after salary retention during his January 2026 trade from Calgary. Any new extension at eight-and-a-half million would represent a substantial raise reflecting both his age of 29 and recent performance trajectory.

Path to formal announcement

The absence of an official signing to date does not contradict the existence of a handshake agreement according to the podcast panel. Multiple participants noted that teams often finalize such pacts quietly before public disclosure near the July 1 free-agency window. Murley’s repeated insistence that “the deal was in place and done” suggests paperwork could be completed within days or weeks.

Vegas holds projected cap flexibility once LTIR considerations for Alex Pietrangelo are applied, removing one structural barrier cited in earlier March 2026 reporting. The organization’s willingness to exceed eight million dollars annually demonstrates commitment to retaining the right-shot defenseman acquired at the trade deadline.

Unless another suitor emerges with superior term or dollars before the end of June, the Golden Knights appear positioned to convert the reported handshake into a binding eight-year contract.