This is unsurprising
- walshyleafsfan

Glad you agree with me.

You Ducks fans (and Ed of course) make me happier and happier about this trade/signing. I like a lot about Andersen, but seeing so many Ducks people thinking this is good for Toronto is giving me a lot of hope.

Ed, solid joke to end this blog. It honestly made me laugh out loud.

You Ducks fans (and Ed of course) make me happier and happier about this trade/signing. I like a lot about Andersen, but seeing so many Ducks people thinking this is good for Toronto is giving me a lot of hope.

Ed, solid joke to end this blog. It honestly made me laugh out loud.
- SolidGoldBricks

Yeah, Andersen might finally get you guys a return to the playoffs. He's a really solid regular season goalie. But Ed gives him credit for backstopping the Ducks to the conference finals. Technically it's true. But remember, the Ducks beat Winnipeg and Calgary in walkovers to get there. And Andersen didn't exactly steal a game against Chicago. In fact, I clearly remember a goal, I think it was in game 7, by Toews where he threw the puck at the net while simultaneously touching the goal line and the right boards. IMHO, Freddie is not a big time player. He's not as big a choker as Hiller was. But he's a bit of a choker when the heat is on. And if he can't see the puck, he'll let in goals low short side that have no business going in. Freddie, just throw a freakin' butterfly when you can't see instead of just standing there looking like you're trying to solve a mystery, ok?

Yeah, Andersen might finally get you guys a return to the playoffs. He's a really solid regular season goalie. But Ed gives him credit for backstopping the Ducks to the conference finals. Technically it's true. But remember, the Ducks beat Winnipeg and Calgary in walkovers to get there. And Andersen didn't exactly steal a game against Chicago. In fact, I clearly remember a goal, I think it was in game 7, by Toews where he threw the puck at the net while simultaneously touching the goal line and the right boards. IMHO, Freddie is not a big time player. He's not as big a choker as Hiller was. But he's a bit of a choker when the heat is on. And if he can't see the puck, he'll let in goals low short side that have no business going in. Freddie, just throw a freakin' butterfly when you can't see instead of just standing there looking like you're trying to solve a mystery, ok?
- yzermaneely

That's all fine by me. I think they got him hoping he will turn into the stud #1 everyone wants, but I don't think this is a Plan A only situation. Worst case, he is the starter for the next few years as the youngsters get older and the team gets better. I still think they will draft some goalies and (like every team, always) hope that they become legit #1s as well. The Leafs aren't going to really contend until year 3 or 4 of Andersen's contract, at best. Hopefully they've got Andersen and another strong goalie by that time.

At least Andersen will give some consistency behind the young team. I expect he will provide some wins that Bernier couldn't, and boost the overall confidence of the young guys.

The leafs paid just a tad much too acquire him. It's likely tho the 2nd rd pick was a sweetener to get the deal done. Either to beat out other teams or before any others got involved period. The contract is a tad much. But he was RFA. He was going to be 4million+ anyway. So, 5 million is really not that bad. I'd be feeling fine with this deal if I were a Leaf fan. Btw, 1 year left on Miller's (6 million - 1 shmill more than Andersen) contract. Perhaps a TDL move to Anaheim


End of the day, good trade by both teams.

Yeah, Andersen might finally get you guys a return to the playoffs. He's a really solid regular season goalie. But Ed gives him credit for backstopping the Ducks to the conference finals. Technically it's true. But remember, the Ducks beat Winnipeg and Calgary in walkovers to get there. And Andersen didn't exactly steal a game against Chicago. In fact, I clearly remember a goal, I think it was in game 7, by Toews where he threw the puck at the net while simultaneously touching the goal line and the right boards. IMHO, Freddie is not a big time player. He's not as big a choker as Hiller was. But he's a bit of a choker when the heat is on. And if he can't see the puck, he'll let in goals low short side that have no business going in. Freddie, just throw a freakin' butterfly when you can't see instead of just standing there looking like you're trying to solve a mystery, ok?
- yzermaneely

It was game 5, where the Ducks gave up 2 goals in the last 2 minutes. The tying goal (with under a minute to play) was brutal. Toews was practically behind the net. He just shot it towards Andersen and it went off his skate and in. Ducks won the game in OT, but the writing was on the wall. Andersen/Ducks gave up 5 goals in games 5,6,&7.

Andersen reminds me a little of Hiller, in that he has the reputation of making great saves, but giving up a gimme at least once a game. That's his rap if you will. There's always a lousy goal given up (that's the reputation he has). However, he's a fierce competitor, and he's a great handler of the puck. Andersen loves to play the puck and make the perfect clearing pass to a streaking forward. I LOVE THAT PART OF HIS GAME. Gibson just taps the puck behind the net and lets the forward take it up ice.

Time will tell for both goalies going forward.

Good write-up.

I tend to agree this is a good move for basically everyone involved. Ducks get good value for a guy they couldn't keep with the expansion draft next year. Those picks could turn into nice players for them.

And I do think it's a good move for Toronto. All the young talent on the roster needs a solid goaltender to support it and allow for rookie mistakes. Glad Andersen is liked and had his successes with the Ducks. It is a price to pay, but I think it's worth it. Probably would have used a first on a goalie anyways and with this deal you use a second rounder (they had 3 for next year anyways) to develop that pick into a starting goalie .

Easy to call it another Bernier trade, but I think there is a key difference. Nonis didn't make this trade for Toronto. A much smarter management group than the one before made the choice to go with Andersen and I'll trust them on that.

Good for all involved.

Great read!

Andersen is a good goalie, as he overthrew Hiller, Fasth, LaBarbera, Khabibulin, and Bryzgalov in becoming a #1. His commitment to excellence and professionalism earned him this opportunity. I'll keep an eye out for a Lego, Toronto Maple Leaf fusion goalie mask!

Why did Anaheim go with Gibson over Andersen? I think Gibson is the better of the two. Moreover, he's younger, and is signed for the next 3 years. Anyways, when Gibson is on, on he is good. The guy can close, and his shutouts are proof of that. The guy gets shutouts like I've never seen from this team. That works!

For Ducks fans, this is a very Bob Murray move, as it has the same feeling as the Etem and Palmieri trade from last summer. Bob knows strength comes from the draft in the salary cap era. Teams must draft and develop. The scouting team has been hitting it out of the park lately, so this'll pay dividends down the road. These next couple of weeks are about the draft and signing Perron.

Why you include nazem kadri in that list of young stars, makes no sense.

To Scooby_Doo

Anderson was the #1 in Anahiem up until about half way through last season.
- Rexypoo

Waant Gibson in the minors in November?

Oilers fan talking smack?
- 50 Mission Cap

Well, in their defense, Oiler fans have a lot of expertise when it comes to identifying players who do not pan out.

That's awesome that the Nucks guys come out of course to neg on the Leafs part of the deal, that's on auto for them. More important for them to neg on the Leafs even than their own divisional rival, love it. Don't see you guys around the Leafs thread much since the lottery, funny innit.

My opinion is the leafs gave up two much and then paid Andersen to much on his contract.
- Scooby_Doo

Yes, the Leafs gave up too much for the best goalie available on the market, but $7 million a year for two soft forwards over 35 in serious decline is just about right. Lou Lamoriello has an idea of how to run a team - unlike Benning. So while you figure out how to spell, enjoy being a fan of a team on the road to nowhere.

The amount of butt hurt nucks fans on this thread is terrific.

What's wrong? Upset that nobody gave you a first and second for Luongo?

Great pickup for the Leafs, and a solid return given the circumstances for the Ducks.

Not too sure why people think Toronto overpaid. The three goalies last season went for similar returns.

Lehner went for the 21st pick.

Jones went for a 1st that ENDED UP 29th overall.

Talbot went for the 57th & 79th & 184th picks.

Each were very strong backup goalies on decent teams who were ready to play starting roles. Andersen on the other IS a starting goalie that lost his job to a younger, cheaper guy.

The 30th overall is correct based on the history and the 2017 2nd was the extra cost for an actual starter.

Great deal for both teams.

I wouldn't be calling any of those besides Matthews as a potential superstar. Good Players and several could become stars, but that's it IMO.
- haymac

good.

Yes, the Leafs gave up too much for the best goalie available on the market, but $7 million a year for two soft forwards over 35 in serious decline is just about right. Lou Lamoriello has an idea of how to run a team - unlike Benning. So while you figure out how to spell, enjoy being a fan of a team on the road to nowhere.



- winsix

come on now.........he was the best guy available that wasn't already signed to a big contract.

bishop and fleury are better goalies.......i would argue that bishop is much better.

anderson was the best option for the leafs, given where they are as an organization and his age....but he was absolutely not the "best goalie available"

The idea that Andersen was going to go for a second round pick is ridiculous. The Leafs didn't get fleeced and just toss in an unnecessary first rounder.

Not too sure why people think Toronto overpaid. The three goalies last season went for similar returns.

Lehner went for the 21st pick.

Jones went for a 1st that ENDED UP 29th overall.

Talbot went for the 57th & 79th & 184th picks.

Each were very strong backup goalies on decent teams who were ready to play starting roles. Andersen on the other IS a starting goalie that lost his job to a younger, cheaper guy.

The 30th overall is correct based on the history and the 2017 2nd was the extra cost for an actual starter.

Great deal for both teams.
- Steven_Dean

i agree, i don't think it was an overpayment at all. it basically boils down to two 2nd round picks for a potential #1 goalie............the only reason i say "potential" is becuase he hasn't been a full season starter yet, but the talent is clearly there.

i think people will hate on the deal simply because of the optics and how it seems similar to the bernier deal...........young goalie from a stacked california team who put up good numbers on an excellent team, how will he do when he comes to a not excellent team. the one differnece is that andersen played way more games and was more "proven" in anaheim than bernier was in LA. i think this was a really good move by the leafs.....and a good return for anaheim considering that they basically had to move him.

My opinion is the leafs gave up two much and then paid Andersen to much on his contract.
- Scooby_Doo

A 30th and a second, for a starter on one of the league's best teams, at 26 years old or whatever he is?

That isn't too much.

The contract is risky for sure. If he comes here and craps the bed (we have seen it many times before), then the Leafs will have undone the good work they did dumping some other bad contracts.

If he is what the Leafs believe he is, at his age, then neither the trade nor the contract are overpayments.

i agree, i don't think it was an overpayment at all. it basically boils down to two 2nd round picks for a potential #1 goalie............the only reason i say "potential" is becuase he hasn't been a full season starter yet, but the talent is clearly there.

i think people will hate on the deal simply because of the optics and how it seems similar to the bernier deal...........young goalie from a stacked california team who put up good numbers on an excellent team, how will he do when he comes to a not excellent team. the one differnece is that andersen played way more games and was more "proven" in anaheim than bernier was in LA. i think this was a really good move by the leafs.....and a good return for anaheim considering that they basically had to move him.
- sensarmy_11

As a Leafs fan... it is terrifying because of our long history with horrible goalie decisions.

He's right, Marner has been a pretty mediocre junior player.
- JSC

(I think you got someone to bite on that one )

As a Leafs fan... it is terrifying because of our long history with horrible goalie decisions.
- Aetherial

IMO that's the only reason people are questioning this.......if it hadn't have been for bernier, toskola, the guy you traded for rask (he was so bad i can't even remember his name ), etc....people would look more favorable at this deal. it's like ottawa and coaches recently.

IMO, i hate the move (as a sens fan) which tells me that it was actually a really good move by the leafs.

come on now.........he was the best guy available that wasn't already signed to a big contract.

bishop and fleury are better goalies.......i would argue that bishop is much better.

anderson was the best option for the leafs, given where they are as an organization and his age....but he was absolutely not the "best goalie available"
- sensarmy_11

agreed

As a Leafs fan... it is terrifying because of our long history with horrible goalie decisions.
- Aetherial

I get the worry but I would be more worried if Leafs management gave in to that fear and decided not to get a goalie