Maples Leafs Acquire Frederik Andersen, Sign to 5-Year Deal

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired goaltender Frederik Andersen in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks, the teams announced Monday.

The Ducks had long been rumored to be shopping the 26-year-old netminder, with the notion that John Gibson would be their starter going forward. In return for the pending RFA, the Ducks acquire the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 1st round draft pick in 2016 (30th overall), acquired in the Phil Kessel trade. They also get Toronto’s 2017 2nd round draft pick.

Last season Andersen played 43 games for the Ducks, posting a .919 save percentage. That came on the heels of a season where he grabbed 54 games with a .914 save percentage. The Maple Leafs will need to put Andersen to contract, as he’s a pending RFA.

Elsewhere in the Toronto net, they’ll also be looking to get Garret Sparks on a new contract, as the 22-year-old is a pending RFA as well. Jonathan Bernier, who is just one year older than Andersen, has one year remaining on his contract. Given his status and age, they are likely to try and get some decent term on the deal.

Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reports that the Calgary Flames also expressed interest in Andersen, but being in-division was working against them. Having some competition for Andersen’s services may have played a part in the relatively high cost of acquiring him via trade. Yet, the cost isn’t that high in the end, when you’re getting an experienced goaltender for two picks that aren’t all that high.

UPDATE:
General Manager Lou Lamoriello confirmed on a conference call that the Leafs have agreed on a five-year pact with Andersen already. The AAV is expected to land somewhere between $5 and $5.5 million, according to TSN’s Bob McKenzie. “Acquiring him was the most important thing, the price was secondary,” Lamoriello said on the call.

“He has to know that he’s our No. 1 goaltender,” Lamoriello said.