San Jose makes perfect sense both ways.
They need a top-pairing RD that isn't too old to help build that team. He fits that team like a glove right now, and he has been on their radar for a while now. I remember Oilfan bringing up his name in the off-season, and saying they would like to trade for him, but their priority was Ekblad if he became a UFA. So there seems to be a continuing interest there, rather than just seeing Andersson's recent rebound in form.
From Andersson's point of view, I am looking for a destination for 8 years, not 2 or 3. San Jose looks like it will be competitive for all of his eight seasons, right? Plus, good weather. Plus, it used to be a top 5 destination. I remember Regehr's story about being told he was going to Buffalo by Feaster, and he turned around and said: "What about the Sharks?".
Anaheim, Vegas, Florida and Dallas are the teams that I would prefer signing an 8 year deal with. Vegas and Florida may not afford me a full 8 years of competitiveness, but give me great shots at the cup in my first 4 years there, that's for sure. Anaheim and San Jose gives me 8 full seasons of being competitive, by my estimation. Maybe Chicago as well, but the weather is not there.
Easy to see why he turned down LA, so it shouldn't be weird that he is looking at San Jose. Two very different cities. I also see two very different directions in terms of trajectory. There is a good chance that Andersson may be the 2nd best player in LA in less than 3 years. What will that team be with the retirements of Doughty and Kopitar? Byfield I think will still grow closer to the player he was supposed to become - a bona fide #1 center. There will be no more superstars. I like Kempe, but I don't see him as a superstar. If I want to win. LA is near the bottom of the list, just above Edmonton.
I think San Jose is a great match. Harder to find a better match, actually. He will be the clear #1 RD, and San Jose will have a chance to win. I would have SJ at the top of my list if I was Rasmus.
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