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Toronto Maple Leafs: The Five Thought Weekly Roundup

By Jordan Maresky

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 9: The Toronto Maple Leafs trio of Zach Hyman #11, Mitchell Marner #16, and Auston Matthews #34 set up a late play against the Winnipeg Jets in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 9, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Jets defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 9: The Toronto Maple Leafs trio of Zach Hyman #11, Mitchell Marner #16, and Auston Matthews #34 set up a late play against the Winnipeg Jets in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on March 9, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Jets defeated the Maple Leafs 4-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 17: Frederik Andersen #31 of the Toronto Maple Leafs  . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 17: Frederik Andersen #31 of the Toronto Maple Leafs  . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Thought #3: Life Beyond Frederik Andersen

Marred by controversy throughout his Toronto Maple Leafs career, arguably no player currently on this roster – save  William Nylander – does not receive his fair share of praise. It seems as if when the team wins, the skaters up front performed well. However, when they lose, Andersen gets the brunt of the blame.

For the most part, the Dane has done his share since he joined the franchise in 2016. He has started the most games and faced the most shots, finishing with the most wins in that time frame. But, since the beginning of 2019-20, it is no secret Andersen has been a shell of his former self.

In 71 games, Andersen has a 2.83 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. For a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, that is simply not good enough (stats; NHL.com).

Things really seemed to come to a head following the Leafs  loss to the Jets Tuesday, in which fans saw Andersen give up four goals against, with the eventual game-winner coming from Mason Appleton on a fairly weak shot from the Wisconsin native.

I wonder if Keefe opts for more of a 50/50 split in net when Campbell eventually returns from injury. The team has banked points early on in the season, allowing the head coach for some more room for experimentation down the stretch.

Over his past seven starts, Andersen is 3-3-1 with a 3.04 goals-against average, a .894 save percentage, and a -5.06 goals-saved above expected, which ranks 58th out of 67 qualified goaltenders (stats; Evolving-Hockey).

He simply has not played well over his most recent stretch, and long-term, it is time to start looking at life beyond Frederik Andersen.

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