The choice of whether the Toronto Maple Leafs trade goalie Frederik Andersen is not simply a straightforward decision of whether he is good enough, but based on a number of factors. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Leafs are not looking to make a lateral move in goal and would only make a move if they see a chance for an upgrade in the trade market or in free agency.
The market of potential available goalies continues to grow, as rumors indicate that the Arizona Coyotes may shop Darcy Kuemper with two years remaining on his contract, joining Matt Murray, Marc-Andre Fleury, and free agents Brayden Holtby, Robin Lehner, Corey Crawford, and Jacob Markstrom as possible targets for GM Kyle Dubas.
The glut of goaltenders potentially could limit the leverage that free agents will have to get a new deal for a salary greater than Andersen’s $5 Million cap hit. With one year left on his current deal, Dubas will be looking for someone who he believes can be a long-term situation between the pipes or to get Andersen to sign an extension for something close to his current salary.
Toronto will likely be able to move Andersen if they find a better option, (since 80% of his salary has already been paid in signing bonus) and based on the trade made between St. Louis and Montreal on Wednesday, the Leafs could get a significant return for the 30-year-old netminder.
The Habs surrendered a third-round pick and swapped seventh-round picks with the Blues for backup goalie Jake Allen. Allen had an excellent season (12-6-3, 2.15 GAA, .927 save %) as the #2 behind Jordan Binnington, but his $4.35 Million cap hit is quite pricy to be Carey Price’s understudy.
Andersen as a bonafide #1 goaltender who has averaged over 60 starts over four seasons would undoubtedly draw a high draft pick and prospect if the Leafs do not want to take back any salary back. For example, the Carolina Hurricanes (who according to Friedman are interested) have a pair of second round picks (their own and New York’s from the Adam Fox deal).
Dubas would no doubt look to replenish his draft capital after trading their 2021 third round pick in the Jack Campbell/Kyle Clifford deal and their 2020 third in the Nazem Kadri deal last July. If they Leafs would prefer a player already drafted on an entry-level contract, it is unlikely that GM Don Waddell would move former first rounder Jake Bean (who won the Eddie Shore Award in 2020 for the AHL’s top defenseman), but possibly could move blueliner Joey Keane (acquired from the Rangers in the Julien Gauthier deal) or forward Dominik Bokk (acquired from the Blues for Justin Faulk).
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