Frederik Andersen - Without a Paddle in Leafs Nation?

Photo Courtesy: DailyHive.com/Toronto Maple Leafs

To keep or not to keep... that is the question on many minds in Leafs Nation these days. With no playoff hockey to cheer about anymore, as per many post-seasons in my Leafs fandom, questions loom and rumours fly as every contract gets raked over with a fine tooth comb to figure out the future of the club.

The biggest name right now that has my attention... Frederik Andersen. Outside of the fact that he's probably been the best goalie in blue and white since Ed Belfour, Freddie is in a very tough position in a cap-crunched world.

While nobody saw this pandemic coming, the flat-cap sure has put a damper on an already tight salary cap situation for Toronto as they sit right up against it with several contracts remaining to re-sign or dump. Not only that, but they've under-performed yet again as a team. So, can Freddie Andersen be the goalie that gets the Leafs over the hump? Not a good question to be lingering for a guy with a $5 million cap hit and only 1 year remaining.

This begs the question... how does Leafs management handle this? With the team clearly being close to that ever elusive goal of "winning a single playoff round", do you keep the goalie who has dragged you to the playoffs 3 of his 4 years with the team? Does he stay one more year to make one final run KNOWING that he will more than likely walk for nothing at the conclusion? Or do you decide to move him now, bring in some assets, and take your chances with a new tandem?

The problem with Andersen is that he's clearly earned a raise on his $5 million cap hit and that just simply doesn't fit into the Leafs future plans... but he would be a massive upgrade for at least 10-12 teams across the league. At just 31 going into next year, he has several years left of competency so more than likely a few teams would be willing to give something up to bring him in.

But which team? And for what? And I guess another big component is... when?

Kyle Dubas has already dabbled in the trade market by moving Kasperi Kapanen to the Penguins in a 7-piece trade which saw the Leafs acquire the 15th overall selection in this year's draft. He is clearly ready to pull the trigger if the right deals are out there. However, by moving 1 goalie out, the Leafs have a clear void in net with Jack Campbell as the only netminder on the roster having any real NHL experience. Is there a Free Agent-to-be that has the management excited? Could they replace Andersen with a cheaper veteran of similar quality?

Let's look at some names:

Too expensive? - Robin Lehner, Braden Holtby, Matt Murray, Jakob Markstrom

While these three would fit the need mostly likely, to me they will want somewhere north of $6 million a year, even if it's short term. Robin Lehner has taken discount deals for a couple years now, Holtby has Stanley Cup experience, and Matt Murray won 2 Cups before his rookie year was done and is only 26. Markstrom just played his way into the hearts of thousands and even with just one standout year under his belt, his stock is very high.

Over the hill? - Jimmy Howard, Mike Smith, Craig Anderson, Brian Elliott 

While these guys might still have a place in the league, I can't imagine it's as the main option for a team trying to contend as soon as possible. Although it would be great to replace Andersen with Anderson.

Decent Fit? - Thomas Greiss, Corey Crawford, Anton Khudobin, Cam Talbot

While none of these guys screams workhorse, they've all had levels of success in their careers. Crawford is the only guy to have won a cup as a starter, but all 4 of these guys have worked in tandems over the last few years which could bode well for a fit now, plus they are all in their mid-30's so you wouldn't think their price tags would be too high. Could this be the replacement we will see once free agency opens?

For me, the intrigue of trading Andersen for someone who can help on the blue line right now at least has my interest. Could there be a swap for Dougie Hamilton in Carolina? Does Calgary throw a d-man out there in a package? Do the Oilers have something up their sleeve?

We will probably have to wait a little longer to find out, but you know this will be the burning question for weeks to come.