Frederik Andersen sets his price in free agency, Leafs fans are in shock

It wasn't exactly a banner season for Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen. The 31 year old Dane played just 24 games this season due to injury and, frankly, was pretty unspectacular even when healthy. He finished the season with a 2.96 goals against average and .895 save percentage. By comparison Andersen's back up Jack Campbell had a 2.15 goals against average and .921 save percentage in 22 games played. In other words, Campbell surpassed Andersen on the team's depth chart... and pretty convincingly too.

With Andersen set to become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career and with the Leafs operating under a tight budget due to the contracts awarded to star players like John Tavares, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, it looks like Andersen's days with the Leafs are nearing an end. In fact, if the latest report from TSN's Darren Dreger is accurate, there's no way Andersen re-signs with the Leafs. Dreger reports that Andersen is seeking a slight raise on the $5 million annual salary he currently earns. That's despite the fact that his play was dropped off noticeably the past two seasons. The fact of the matter is that Andersen hasn't been effective since the 2018-19 season, yet he has designs on getting paid like a top level starting goaltender.

You know what? More power to ya, Freddy. Here's hoping you get your money, but if I'm an NHL GM I'd be very, very, VERY wary of throwing Andersen into the #1 starting role on my team. It's expected that Colorado Avalanche and Vezina Trophy nominated goaltender Philipp Grubauer will be the most coveted goalie in the free agent market, assuming that longtime Boston Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask re-ups in Boston. Beyond that there are names like Devan Dubnyk, Antti Raanta, James Reimer, Petr Mrazek and Jonathan Bernier available on the open market. I don't see any of these guys commanding $5+ million per season, so frankly I don't know how Andersen has come to his self-evaluation. If a guy like Dubnyk or Mrazek signs for $1 million then there's no way Andersen is a $5+ million goaltender.