Rasmus Andersson lands massive extension with Vegas

The Vegas Golden Knights had been circling a long-term commitment to Rasmus Andersson for weeks, with whispers of a handshake agreement making the rounds across the league. On July 1, that commitment became official.

According to Elliotte Friedman, Andersson has signed a seven-year extension with Vegas worth $8.5 million per season. The deal carries a total value of $59.5 million and cements the Swedish defenseman as a cornerstone of the Golden Knights' blue line for the foreseeable future.

The agreement didn't come as a complete surprise as many expected Andersson to be brought back after he was acquired from the Calgary Flames in time for the postseason.

The $8.5 million AAV reportedly lines up with figures that had been rumored for some time. That price tag, however, has not sat well with a portion of the Golden Knights fanbase, many of whom felt Andersson's first stint in Las Vegas left something to be desired.

Still, the organization clearly sees upside in the former Flames standout. A coaching change could help his case. Ryan Craig is set to take the reins behind the bench, bringing a system that generated strong assist numbers last season.

The Golden Knights do face a significant hole elsewhere on the roster. The trade that sent Pavel Dorofeyev to the New York Rangers removed Vegas's top goal scorer, a player who potted 37 regular season goals. Finding a replacement trigger man will be crucial, both for the team's overall offense and for taking pressure off Andersson and Jack Eichel.

If the front office can add a legitimate shooter to complement the existing core, it could go a long way toward making Andersson's extension look like a smart investment rather than an overpay.