3 Most Important Lou Lamoriello Signings as the Toronto Maple Leafs G.M.

#2. Freddie Andersen Deal

Contract Details: Five-Year $25 Million Contract ($5 million cap hit per season)

It had been at least a decade since the Toronto Maple Leafs had a reliable number-one goaltender, but then Lamoriello showed up and changed that narrative.

After watching a year of James Reimer, Jonathan Bernier and Garret Sparks, Lamoriello knew that he needed to address his goaltending and that’s exactly what he did with the acquisition of Andersen.

It cost the Leafs a 2016 first round and 2017 second round pick to acquire him, but that’s the cost of doing business when you can get a perennial number-one goaltender.

The trade to get him was great, but the extension that came with it was the most important part of the deal. Although Leafs fans had yet to see Freddie in a Maple Leafs jersey before the extension was signed, he had enough of a sample size with the Anaheim Ducks to assure that this was a good signing.

The goaltender position is arguably the most important position for any hockey team, so locking him up for years was crucial.

During his time in Toronto, he’s been shaky, but he’s also been magnificent. He finished fourth in Vezina Trophy voting after the 2017-18 season as well, so clearly he’s a goaltender you want on your roster.

He’s been left out to dry a number of times by his defense-core in front of him, so even when his stats aren’t good, it’s not always his fault. Overall, I believe the Leafs have faith in Andersen that he can be their goalie during a Stanley Cup-run.