Frederik Andersen to Maple Leafs: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction

The Toronto Maple Leafs added some goaltender depth on Monday. 

According to the Anaheim Ducks’ Twitter account, Toronto traded a first- and second-round draft pick to the Ducks in exchange for goaltender Frederik Andersen. The first-round pick acquired was the 30th overall selection.

The Ducks were able to make this move because they already have 22-year-old John Gibson in goal. Gibson played 40 games for the Ducks in 2015-16 and posted a solid 2.07 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage. He is also not a restricted free agent until after the 2018-19 season, per Spotrac, so there was not as much urgency to keep Andersen around.

Chris Johnston of Sportsnet noted Andersen was a restricted free agent and suggested the goaltender’s average annual value would wind up in the $4.5-5.5 million range. Johnston also passed along word that Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello said the team signed Andersen to a five-year contract. 

The Maple Leafs also have Jonathan Bernier as a goaltender, but he is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2016-17 season, per Spotrac. Signing Andersen helps bolster a position that was otherwise a long-term question mark, given Bernier's contract situation and Toronto's recent effort in the standings.

Toronto ended the 2015-16 campaign with a 29-42-11 record, which was good enough for last place in the Atlantic Division. The struggles were largely because it finished an abysmal 24th in the league in goals against per game (2.9), so it likely brought Andersen aboard to help rectify that number.

He appeared in 43 games for Anaheim during the 2015-16 season and posted an impressive 22-9 record with a .919 save percentage and a 2.30 GAA. While his GAA has been below 2.40 his entire career, his win-loss records stand out:

Season	Record	Save Percentage	Goals-Against Average	Shutouts
2013-14	20-5	.923	2.29	0
2014-15	35-12	.914	2.38	3
2015-16	22-9	.919	2.30	3

According to Scott Burnside of ESPN.com, “Andersen tied an NHL record by reaching 50 career wins in just 68 decisions, a mark established by the legendary Bill Durnan back in 1944.”

Andersen also appeared in 28 postseason games in his first three years, including five this past season. He posted a sparkling 1.41 GAA in those five contests, but Anaheim lost to the Nashville Predators in seven games in the first round. The Ducks found themselves behind 2-0 in the series before they turned to Andersen, and he brought them to within a single win of advancing.

What’s more, the goaltender played in 16 playoff games during the 2015 postseason when the Ducks reached the Western Conference Final and lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in seven games.

Andersen is only 26 years old and brings extensive postseason experience to the table. The Maple Leafs are looking to reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign, and Andersen gives them someone with a proven track record between the pipes.