Andersson’s Limited Ice Time Draws Scrutiny (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Las Vegas — Defenseman Rasmus Andersson and forward Tomas Hertl rejoined the Vegas Golden Knights this week after competing for Sweden and Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.[1][2]
Andersson’s Limited Ice Time Draws Scrutiny
Rasmus Andersson appeared in only two games for Sweden during the tournament. He served as a healthy scratch for three contests, including both elimination games.[2][1] The defenseman averaged 16 minutes of ice time in his outings, where he paired with Victor Hedman and contributed offensively while holding steady on defense.[2]
Sweden shuffled its lineup frequently throughout the event. Andersson, who had joined the Knights via trade from Calgary just before the Olympic break, chose not to delve into his personal takeaways.[3][4] He offered, “From a personal standpoint, I’ll leave it at no comment.”[5] Still, he opened up about an emotional moment from Team USA’s gold-medal celebration honoring his late former teammate Johnny Gaudreau. “I teared up quite a bit when I saw the kids and when I saw them skate around with the jersey,” Andersson said. “The brotherhood of the sport is something you’ll never take for granted that’s for sure.”[6]
Hertl Anchors Czechia Up Front
Tomas Hertl shouldered a heavy load as Czechia’s primary center. He skated in five games, averaging 18 minutes per night and firing 12 shots on goal.[2]
The forward notched one assist, though it came during a controversial sequence involving an extra attacker. Czechia bowed out in the quarterfinals against Canada despite high expectations as a potential dark horse.[4][6] Hertl later reflected on the gold-medal clash between familiar foes. “Yeah it was crazy because you have teammates on both sides,” he noted. “Canada was always there, they’ve won a lot of medals, so I always like to cheer for the underdog.”[6]
Knights’ Broad Olympic Presence
The Golden Knights sent eight players to the Olympics, more than most NHL clubs. Their contingent included standouts from medal-winning teams like gold-medal champion USA and silver-medal Canada.[2]
| Player | Country | Games Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rasmus Andersson | Sweden | 2 | 0 |
| Tomas Hertl | Czechia | 5 | 1A |
| Jack Eichel | USA (Gold) | 6 | 2G, 4A |
| Noah Hanifin | USA (Gold) | 6 | 1G, 2A |
Jack Eichel paced the Knights’ performers with six points for the Americans. Mark Stone and Mitch Marner helped Canada secure silver, while Shea Theodore added a goal in six games.[2] The group returned inspired by USA’s overtime victory over Canada in the final.[6]
Road Ahead Packed for Pacific Leaders
Vegas holds first place in the Pacific Division as play resumes. The Knights kicked off a five-game road trip against the Los Angeles Kings.[6]
Andersson and Hertl face little downtime with 20 games slated over the next month. Their international exposure now shifts focus to the playoff push, where depth and resilience will prove vital.[7]
The Olympics tested these athletes on a global stage. Their return bolsters a squad eyeing another deep postseason run.
Key Takeaways
- Andersson played sparingly for Sweden but emphasized hockey’s bonds beyond results.
- Hertl logged top-line minutes for Czechia despite modest scoring.
- Vegas leads the Pacific and draws motivation from its medal-winning Olympians.
What are your thoughts on the Knights’ Olympic haul? Share in the comments below.
