Captain Canuck said:
Not sure why so many are bent out of shape by this deal?
He is the #1 now, but not necessarily when this team is ready to compete. Most are saying we are years away, probably close to the 5 years, so Andersen may just be a bridge goalie (or not depending on his play).
Also, if he plays awful there is nothing to say we are stuck with him for the entire 5 years, trades are always a possibility, as proven by moving Clarkson.
I'm not sure why some are saying Andersen is too old or unproven, but then want Reimer back who is older and seemingly not as talented? No thanks, been there done that, time to move on!
This deal on its own is not going to significantly increase the pace of the rebuild. We needed a capable NHL goalie for next season, so why not go out and get one? Bernier isn't the answer, maybe Andersen is?
I don't take great joy in watching this team tank, would rather this team do a little better next year and get to watch some entertaining hockey.
The Leafs aren't going to be a playoff team next year due to this move, but likely won't finish dead last either and I'm just fine with that.
I am not so much bent out of shape as I am concerned that this is the wrong move at too high a price when it was unnecessary to do so.
I am puzzled by the history of trading for a part time goalie on a reasonably successful team with the expectation that he will be able to translate that into similar, if not better, numbers on a full time basis with a Leaf team that has an acknowledged less than average defence. Then, as usual, we sign him to a long term contract without any assurance he will achieve the forgoing.
Frankly, the numbers Andersen had last year are roughly comparable to those of James Reimer.
Reimer played behind a significantly worse defence it must be remembered. Andersen was supported by better forwards and better defence men -- to the point where the availability of a Duck blue liner as a free agent was one most Leaf fans' wish list.
And what did we get for Reimer?
Not much; certainly not a first and a second.
It is arguable then that we would have been better off re-signing Reimer, keeping the picks and using one of them to draft a goalie prospect to develop over the next two years when we then actually need him.Finally, I see this as a departure from the otherwise consistent patient "Shanaplan" rebuild.
Those are my concerns.