Flame for Thought
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Calgary Flames: Three Potential Trades Involving 1st Round Pick

By Ken MacMillan

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 07: Yanni Gourde. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 07: Yanni Gourde. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO,ON – DECEMBER 6: Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Calgary Flames on Frederik Andersen (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO,ON – DECEMBER 6: Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Calgary Flames on Frederik Andersen (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Frederik Andersen

Freddie Andersen was traded from the Anaheim Ducks to the Toronto Maple Leafs three years ago. It was rumoured at that time that the Flames were interested and it would make sense if they were still interested in the netminder.

Andersen has been remarkably consistent in his career. In his rookie season of 2013-14, he had a .923 save percentage. For the next five seasons, Andersen was as busy as any goaltender in the league and his save percentage stayed steady between .914 and .919 each year. That is crazy consistency for an NHL goaltender.

This season, it dropped a bit to .909 but he was excellent in the postseason, with a 1.84 GAA and a .936 SV%. He has been asked to handle a heavy load for the Maple Leafs the past four years, starting 60 games or more for three straight seasons before stepping into the crease 52 times this season.

Not only did he play a lot of games but the Maple Leafs defence allowed a ridiculous number of shots and chances against in those games. Luckily, they had a reliable goaltender to keep them out of trouble time and time again.

Andersen has one year left on his contract at $5 million. He will be looking for a raise after that, but the Flames would be able to bring him in for next season and work out an extension that fits with their budget.

The Leafs likely won’t be able to fit him in after the 20-21 season. With a lot of options in free agency this year, perhaps the Maple Leafs move on from Andersen and get a first round pick in return, then look to sign someone like Braden Holtby or trade for Darcy Kuemper.

Andersen has looked great behind a suspect defence in Toronto. He could look even better behind a solid group of defenders in Calgary.

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