Since joining the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2016-2017 season, Andersen has been nothing short of remarkable
Considering the awful defense that is displayed by the Toronto Maple Leafs in front of Andersen most of the time, he often bails out his teammates with his calmness in the net.
Going into his final season under contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the 6’4 lumbering Dane will be of much discussion in whether he will be a Toronto Maple after this season ends or if he will be playing in a new sweater, possibly even before the kickstart of the 2020-2021 season.
Should be interesting to see what Dubas does with Andersen. Although it is most likely that Dubas will hold onto Andersen for the season and let him walk into free agency for nothing, there is a possibility that something out of the blue happens.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs Re-sign Andersen
We can all say that for Andersen has carried the Maple Leafs in many games that have taken place, and if it wasn’t for him making 40 saves on a game-to-game basis this season could have been a disaster, even though he wasn’t at his best.
Andersen will be turning 31 this season, and although that isn’t necessarily old for a goaltender, the contract he would be asking for based on his performance may be too steep for the Toronto Maple Leafs to swallow.
Looking at a possible contract for Frederik Andersen would probably end up in the region of 4 years at 6.5 mil. Now, although this isn’t a significant increase from his current salary of 5 mil a season it would most definitely hurt the Toronto Maple Leafs in building a competitive team, due to all the money that has been thrown to the “Core 4”
Now, this could still be done, with some obvious trades that would have to occur to make this happen considering Rielly will need a new contract as well. But, if Dubas believes in Andersen enough to win a cup then we will have to wait and see what kind of team is formed from it.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Andersen
Although Andersen only has one year left on his deal he could be used as a valuable trade chip to make the team better overall.
Something that could be done is:
To Tor: Murphy, Kampf (cap reasons)
To Chi: Andersen, 7th rd pick
From this deal, the Toronto Maple Leafs could potentially get a cheap RHD to play with Rielly, while the Blackhawks would get a solid goalie that could easily play the next 5 seasons for them.
The Leafs would then be only left with their goalie prospects and Jack Campbell. The prospects probably aren’t ready for the NHL and Campbell isn’t a starter so the buds would have to go shopping for another netminder.
Two goalies that are in excess on teams are Georgiev, which I’m sure everyone knows of by now and Matt Murray of the Penguins.
Both goalies are RFA’s and both teams have cheaper options which makes them expendable.
Of the two I would go for Murray who would be cheaper to acquire and wouldn’t require a massive raise to resign.
With this, the Leafs would get the much needed RHD they desire and a younger cheaper goalie that can potentially fill the void of Andersen.