Long summer helping Andersen
LANCE HORNBY
POSTMEDIA NETWORK
TORONTO — At times early last season, Frederik Andersen came off the ice at practice, saw a wall of media forming at his doorstep and felt like going back out to ride with the Zamboni driver.
Losing five of his first seven decisions, the big Danish defender was getting tired of questions about a slow start, exacerbated by an Olympic qualifying game leg injury, a short camp and the fast track of Toronto life compared to laid-back Anaheim.
But he settled in, thanks partly to Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock constantly telling detractors to be patient and soon the questions about Andersen’s play and his five-year, $25 million US contract dried up.
By April, his 33-win total put him just four shy of the singleseason club record and, like Felix Potvin and Curtis Joseph in their splashy arrivals, the addition of a solid starter put the Leafs back on the playoff map.
With a better opening kick in the former Duck’s second season here, Andersen could end up with even better numbers and the Leafs with a higher seed and longer spring. He’s certainly exhibiting a more carefree attitude these days, after Wednesday’s intense game of half-rink hockey with Leafs and Marlies who’ve arrived for workouts ahead of official September training camp.
“This summer, I haven’t had too much distractions from the view of moving to a new city and a new team,” Andersen said. “I don’t want to think everything that happened (last autumn) can be the reason for the (slow) start, but you never know. That kind of stuff can build up. But this summer has been time to focus on what I have to do, in the gym and all that stuff.”
While the younger Leafs noticed a shorter holiday because of their post-season series with Washington, Andersen was already used to Anaheim playing into May. What was different for him was a career-high 66 games that preceded playoffs and close to double the saves he made his last year with the Ducks. His fine save percentage of .918 was just a hair below his last season in Anaheim.
With no national team duties this year, Andersen could try a different off-season conditioning schedule that involved waiting longer before committing to summer ice.
“I took a bit more time off than normal, but it has been good,” the 27-year-old said. “I’ve still been busy, doing a lot of good work in the gym and I’m excited to be back and skating here (an orientation for newcomers that he missed in 2016).
“I spent a lot of time in Newport, Calif., with my trainer (Scott Prohaska, who was credited years ago with improving Andersen’s lax fitness and diet habits). It has been a different summer, for sure. I’ve just been focusing on getting ready, getting in shape and getting better. I’m a little leaner with my weight down. I want to keep getting better at providing the body with the right energy and the right foods.”
Andersen had a chance to fill up on some fine cuisine during a week’s vacation on the Amalfi coast in Italy, one of many trips he squeezed in. It has refreshed him for 2017-18, now that he’s also seen what the Leafs’ depth is made of and what development plans are.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder certainly endorses the signing of 37-year-old winger Patrick Marleau, an old conference adversary with the San Jose Sharks.
“I love it, I’ve played against Marleau a bunch of times. I’ve heard great things about him. I’m excited to see what all three of them bring, (veteran defenceman) Ron Hainsey and (centre) Dominic Moore. Hainsey has some great experience with Pittsburgh and the playoffs and has played a lot of games in the league. Moore is a local guy and that’s always exciting for a player.”
Some of the Leafs’ gargantuan defencemen taken in the past two drafts have been hanging around practice, giving a further sense of security for Andersen, who had big blueliners in Anaheim to clear space. Finnish-born Eemeli Rantanen, who is a 6-foot-7 second rounder, might one day be Andersen’s snow plow.
“I love when the team looks out for the goalies,” Andersen said with a smile. “That’s great for us. It’s not the goalies’ job to scout or anything, but we trust everyone upstairs that they do their homework and do a great job at the draft.”