Rasmus Andersson only donned the three crowns once last year during the 4 Nations Face-Off.
The Vegas Golden Knights defenseman sat in the press box twice in the NHL’s return to best-on-best competition. From an environment and competitive standpoint, it was a successful precursor to the league returning to Olympic play.
But even though Andersson played one game for Sweden last February, the experience was memorable.
“It was the time of my life,” Andersson said.
The 29-year-old from Malmo, Sweden, will represent his country on the Winter Olympics stage for the first time Wednesday when Sweden faces host Italy in Milan.
Andersson hasn’t spent much time on the International circuit. Outside of participating in the IIHF World Championships last year, Andersson hasn’t suited up for Sweden since 2016.
“It’s so fun every time I’ve (worn the Sweden jersey),” Andersson said. “I love it. Every time I’ve done it, because I had such a long break between it — almost 10 years — you almost forget that feeling.”
Andersson had two goals and six points for Sweden in the world championships as the captain of the team.
Stacked Swede blue line
There may not be a worry this time with Andersson and playing time. He’s been skating on the second pair with Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman on a strong, talented Swedish blue line.
The defense is arguably Sweden’s biggest strength, with Rasmus Dahlin and Gustav Forsling on the top pair and Philip Broberg and Erik Karlsson as the fifth and sixth options.
Does Sweden have the best defenseman depth? Andersson said there are some stacked ones.
“I think, maybe, the U.S. has a really good blue line, as well,” he said. “I think definitely Sweden is up there.”
Sweden also carries one of the best goalies in the tournament in Filip Gustavsson, and a forward group that prioritizes a 200-foot game.
Even Sweden captain Gabriel Landeskog, though maybe not the player he once was because of injuries, is skating on the fourth line.
“I think with Sweden, I feel like we’re deep in every position,” Andersson said. “We might not have the Jack (Eichels) or (Connor) McDavids and the (Nathan) MacKinnons, but I feel like we’re deep. I feel like we’re good at all positions, really.”
From Las Vegas to Italy
The past month has already been a whirlwind for Andersson, who might consider this work trip to Italy a reprieve. Andersson jumped head-first into his tenure with the Knights after they acquired him from the Calgary Flames on Jan. 18.
His two practices at Sweden would be actually more than he’s had with the Knights to this point.
But Andersson is acclimating well with four points and a plus-3 through eight games. He was one of the Knights’ lone bright spots during their 3-5-2 run after the trade.
“He should make us a better team. That’s why you make these trades,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “He’s a good puck mover. Puck movement has been good for us, but not consistently good.
“He should add to that element of our game.”
One of the 4 Nations games where Andersson was in the press box was the first one — Sweden lost 4-3 in overtime to Canada in the thriller to open the tournament.
Andersson was amazed at how fast the pace was in that game, given there was no NHL significance to it.
That pace will be tested in the rest of the group stage. Sweden plays powerhouse Finland on Friday, followed by Slovakia on Saturday.
“Usually the game looks slow from (the press box), but it was pretty fast from up there,” Andersson said of the Canada game in 4 Nations. “I couldn’t even imagine what it was on the ice. It was probably the best game I’ve ever watched live.”
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
Up next
Who: Sweden vs. Italy
When: 12:10 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Santagiulia Arena, Milan, Italy
TV: USA, Peacock
Line: Sweden -20,000; total 7
Golden Knights involved: Rasmus Andersson, Sweden