The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired goaltender Frederik Andersen from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for the 30th pick in the 2016 NHL draft and a second-round pick in 2017.
Toronto Maple Leafs acquired goalie Frederik Andersen from the Anaheim Ducks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Can’t say this move comes as a surprise. For months, Andersen was linked to the Leafs in the rumor mill.
They obviously needed to bolster their depth between the pipes. Jonathan Bernier has struggled as their starter and there’s no one within their system capable of taking over the reins on a full-time basis.
The Ducks are committed to John Gibson through 2018-19. Andersen, 26, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who’s a year away from unrestricted free agent status. Being a budget-conscious club, they obviously couldn’t justify a long-term investment in him. It also explains why they accepted draft picks in return.
The Leafs have sought a quality starting goalie ever since Ed Belfour left town a decade ago. Andersen put up decent numbers during his tenure with the Ducks, but at times seemed to struggle with consistency. He could have his work cut out for him with the rebuilding Leafs. Time will tell if he can succeed in the starter’s job where so many have failed over the last 10 years.
Andersen earned an average cap hit of $1.15 million and is in line for a substantial raise. It’ll also be interesting to see how long the Leafs are willing to invest in him and for how much.
**UPDATE**
The Leafs have reportedly re-signed Andersen to a five-year contract worth an annual salary-cap hit in the “low $5 million per season range.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Well, now we know for how much and for how long. Andersen is the Leafs starting goalie entering the 2016-17 campaign, which likely means Jonathan Bernier’s days as a Leaf are numbered. Even if Bernier starts next season as a Leaf, he might not be there come the trade deadline.
Evidently Leafs management saw enough in Andersen’s game to be convinced he’ll be a reliable starter for them. He better be, or else this contract will go down as another in a long line of blunders by the Leafs.
Lou!!!!! What are you doing 2 solid picks for an average goalie. Who was playing for a very good team I might add. Not a good deal at all, just when I started to have some faith in Lou. Next they`ll go after Stamkos and the proper rebuild is all but gone. We`ll be back to those middle of the road teams.
I disagree. I’ve seen Andersen since he played in SHL Swedish League. He’s as solid as any available goalie on the market, plus he’s 26. Leafs didn’t pay much to get him. The only risk is the contract itself and that contract is pretty much the norm for projected starters. I’d rather have Andersen at $5M than a Dubnyk contract on my hands. Solid trade and signing for the Leafs.
Also I’d rather have Anderson over Bernier any day….plus we’ll get the picks back when they move Bernier
What is the alternative? You stick it out with Bernier for another year then have nobody for the following year? Go after Fleury who is going to cost the same to acquire but then will cost you more against the cap. Fleury is so up and down I wouldn’t want him. Who else is there? Ben Bishop at an AAV of $6-7 million. Thats a lot of money for 40-50 starts then 4 months on the shelf with an injury. $5 million is the going rate for a top net minder who can start 60+ games a year and who actually plays well in the playoffs. Some people are complaining about the 1st round pick (30th overall) but does anyone remember they have the 31st pick? And a 2nd rounder next year…big deal. At some point you have to bring in winning players who have some experience. You can only have so many prospects. At some point you need guys that can play. This moves fills a huge void for the team. Now they can focus on adding Matthews and hopefully a defensive piece or 2.
Fleury is as fine a goalie as you’ll get anywhere else. I would pass on him as the Leafs simply because he is 30/31 and the Leafs realistically won’t be a contender for 3-5 years as this young core learns and builds experience. Fleury at this point is a win now type of goalie. Your bang on with Andersen as being younger, he is likely the best fit for their plan with whats available. As long as they can get several years of solid goaltending from him, they did really well with this trade.
Nice job by the Bruins. Now get another adman and a power forward
Veseys rights to buffalo
What a good pick up for Toronto. I’ve been thinking Andersen was the best goaltender for the Leafs to get based on age and what I’ve seen from him during the season. I thought they would have to put in a good prospect but good on them for only trading picks… which they have/had a plethora of. Apparently he signed a 5 years extension, so Tick Tock Bernier lol.
It’s very very hard to get the right goalie at the right time and for a decent price. There’s always a risk for a team in a trade like this, but taking risks is included in managing. There weren’t that many available goalies, for the right price, that were available as alternatives to Andersen.
I really like the trade.
Seems like a lot of $ and term for an average goalie. Time will tell I guess.
you mean like hammond
You mean the just over 1 mill Hammond is signed for for the next 2 seasons? Check you facts before blabbing bud.
Yeah. So what’s your point?
because you senaturd fans think you can do no wrong hey how about cowan did he get enough money
Wow, dumb move. Thoroughly disappointed right now.
Great move by the Leafs (it pains me to say that).
Based on the goalie market that’s a steep price to pay, decent stats, but a little unproven. I’d like to see him play a full season here before I can properly judge this trade. Right now I’m skeptical though.
Hate to see him leave, but the net in Anaheim isn’t big enough for Andersen and Gibson. Neither is the budget. East Coast fans don’t give him the respect he deserves – he’s the real deal.
Great pickup! Andersen is a quality goalie. 30th overall pick and a 2017 2nd rounder is nothing. How many picks in the last round make it to the NHL and have an impact? With Andersen, you have some idea of what you are getting. 26 is the right age….just coming into his prime. 5 years at 5 million may be steep…time will tell but i love the trade.
….meant to say last pick in the 1st round.
The Leafs picking up Andersen was a move they needed to make. With both Bibeau and Sparks still question marks, and not a lot of confidence in Bernier, they had to address to goalie situation. With so much young talent (Marner, Nylander and all things point to them drafting Matthews), I think they also needed to send a message to pending UFAs (oh…I dunno…perhaps Stamkos?) that the team is very serious about a rebuild, and that they are putting the pieces in place to become a serious threat in a few seasons from now. This upcoming week proves to be very interesting for the Leafs not only going into the draft, but preparing for the free agent market, and they’ve started with a very strong statement already.
5 yrs, 25 mill. Paid too much to get an average goalie and then paid too much to keep him. Now we know why Lou got fired in New Jersey. Quick Lou buy him out after all it`s only money. Right Lou. Well maybe this will Toronto out the Stamkos sweepstakes.
Lou got fired in New Jersey? I don’t think so.
He got “replaced”, moved up to another position. So yes, it’s a way to say he’s not wanted as GM anymore.
Clueless
Hope you didn`t strain yourself getting that one out
Long rumored trade coming to fruition. Not a huge amount to give up for him. $5million over 5 years seems like a bit of a stretch but if he can give the Leafs 50-60 quality starts a year, then worth the investment. UFA market was thin and other younger options not really available so making the best of an otherwise bad situation.
Should be traded just a 2 for Halak
In 5 years a starting goalie making 5 mill will be peanuts. He will also be in his prime. He is a proven goalie. I think it’s a great trade. That 30th pick and the 2nd next year, we wouldn’t see them in the nhl for another 3 years. Stuart Percy type players go in that range in our past…so it makes a tonne of sense. We are overloaded with picks and prospects anyways…
I don’t know how any Leaf fan would dislike this trade. We addressed a need at a very limited cost. Anderson is just 26 which with most goalies is when they hit their prime. Do I think he will put them in playoffs next year, no. Leafs just need to add a reliable D and they will be well on their way.