Should the Toronto Maple Leafs Extend Freddie Andersen or Look for a New Goalie?

After next season, Frederik Andersen and the Toronto Maple Leafs could part ways. Or they could not.

While there’s still a question mark around when the 2020-21 season will start, there’s also the question of “will the Toronto Maple Leafs re-sign Andersen?”

It’s always been an interesting debate because after next season, Andersen will likely be 31 years old. And when the 2021-22 season starts, he will be 32.

He obviously will get the money he makes right now, which is $5,000,000, but how much more will he get is the question.

It’s an interesting scenario because Andersen is still so good. With goalies though, they could fall off very quickly, which is why this is much more difficult than it seems.

Yet with Andersen — when he’s on his game, he’s one of the best goaltenders in the NHL.

Even though he’s been inconsistent at times, Andersen is 3rd in wins of all active goaltenders since joining the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016. While he’s also battled a few injuries, Andersen’s still among the leagues best in save percentage too since arriving in Toronto.

If you do want to look at close comparatives though, some of the best goaltenders in the NHL make $6-7 million. Then there’s Henrik Lundqvist ($8.5M), Sergei Bobrovsky ($10.0M) and Carey Price ($10.5M) who all make a lot of money.

Do I think that he’ll get that money? Probably not.

Andersen isn’t getting any younger and at 32, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be skeptical on how many years he has left at the level he’s playing at right now.

Kyle Dubas cannot get the Andersen contract wrong.

Looking back on the years, the Toronto Maple Leafs seem to always play better in front of Andersen.

They believe in him, through thick and thin, and they’re all like family in that dressing room, which is why it’s highly unlikely we see him go.

One of the hardest parts of these contract negotiations is that Andersen will want term, and you have to be hesitant there, always.

Anything over three years is pushing it at this point, unless the cap hit is lower. That also depends on how good he plays next season, and if they bring something back to Toronto.

I could sit here right now and say, “I think Andersen should get between $6-7M for the next two to three years.” But a lot depends on next year, and how the rest of this year pans out.

Say Andersen plays amazing in the playoffs and the Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup this year, or next — and while doing that, he wins the Vezina too. That would turn into a massive pay day for him.

But at this point, that’s all ifs and buts.

There’s question marks everywhere right now, and for the Toronto Maple Leafs, this is one of the biggest right now, and next year.