Toronto Maple Leafs: Looking Into Every Option with Freddie Andersen

A Potential Contract Extension

The most obvious and simplest answer is for the Toronto Mapole Leafs and Andersen to find common ground and come to an agreement on a potential contract extension.

#31 has certainly proven in his time in Toronto he is a very capable starting goaltender and probably one who has not received the type of credit someone of his stature would normally deserve. The organization knows him, and meanwhile, Andersen has undoubtedly built some relationships in that Leafs locker room – he and Matthews lived together in Auston’s Arizona home during the NHL pause last summer.

The question management would surely be asking themselves is if they believe Andersen can rise to the occasion when it matters most. He has been outplayed in every playoff series with Toronto thus far and has given up some ugly goals in the process. Though to be fair, he was great against Columbus and their goalies set save percentage records.

Now, some of that could be attributed to leaky defensive structure and insufficient personnel on the Toronto Maple Leafs blueline. With a revamped backend in 2020-21 – bringing in TJ Brodie, Zach Bogosian, and the continued development of Justin Holl – and with a clear emphasis on protecting the high danger areas, maybe Andersen finally breaks through this upcoming postseason.

The other factor is Andersen’s potential asking price. He may very well play himself into Jacob Markstrom territory, where the former Canuck landed a six-year, $6 million AAV contract this past offseason.

If that is what the Andersen camp is looking for, the Leafs simply would not be able to afford it. With Hyman also needing a new deal and the upcoming Morgan Rielly negotiations in 2022, the easiest way to save cap space is net.

It remains to be seen what path the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to take, with all eyes on Andersen’s play come June and July.