Anderson leans in for Toronto
TORONTO — Under normal circumstances, it could be considered counterproductive when Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Freddie Andersen says he cut back on his weight-training regimen over the summer.
For Andersen, though, it was a way to address a problem in his first two National Hockey League seasons in Toronto: Slow starts.
“I think it’s something you want to do, you want to try and bring different things to the table, you want to accomplish different things,” Andersen said Tuesday as the Leafs prepared for Wednesday’s road game in Montreal.
Andersen did lift weights in the off-season, but reduced the poundage. He also reduced the amount of time he spent on weight training, in favour of core training. The focus was on improving strength.
Andersen has always analyzed his training approaches and changed them when he discovered alternative methods that interested him.
After his first year in Toronto, Andersen met with Scot Prohaska, a noted strength and nutrition coach. After some indepth conversations about proper calorie-carb-protein balances for workouts and recovery, Prohaska found Andersen’s knowledge on the subject was thin.
What ensued was a total change to Andersen’s nutrition program, one which was based in part on a 26-page blood analysis. Andersen came to camp leaner and stronger, and built off that this summer.
“You try and be more prepared,” Andersen said. “It’s not that I didn’t prepare in the past, but it’s feeling the intensity you need for the season, getting your work level up to where it needs to be. Hopefully all this benefits me.”
In each of his first two years with the Leafs he made 66 starts, smashing through his previous career high of 54. He also faced more shots than any other NHL goalie.
Andersen had a career-high 38 wins last season, but had a slow (for him) October, as well as a drop-off in sharpness in the first round of the playoffs.
“Being in the league more now (seven years), I don’t focus much on (stats from slow starts to the season),” he said.
“You want to be comfortable in the systems, be acclimated to the new defencemen on the team . ... Goalies don’t skate as much in the summer as other players, so you want to come to camp prepared in ways that are good for you. You want to see shots, see pucks in a crowd. It’s like a batter in baseball, being able to see pitches, goalies want to see shots. It’s a challenge every year, but that’s what it is.”
Through his first two season with the Leafs, Andersen posted a combined 8-10 record and an .886 save percentage in the month of October. Outside of last March, those two Octobers mark the only months where he has posted a sub-.900 save percentage as a Leaf.
New Leaf John Tavares has spent about two weeks of camp with Andersen, and already notices the finer details in Andersen’s abilities.
“His presence, his size, when you’re around him it’s very visible,” Tavares said Tuesday.
“It’s his athletic ability that goes along with that. As a bigger goaltender, his ability to move and stretch out and never make you feel like he’s out of the play, like he’s done a few times to me. His athletic ability and never quitting on the puck is very impressive. With the skill set he has with his size, his ability to cut angles down and not see very much net, to have that type of ability when he’s stretched out, or when he’s in recovery mode, to be able to always be in the shooters’ head knowing he always has a chance to get, it is impressive.”
Andersen also unveiled a new mask this week, one in which he honours Denmark and Toronto. He’s also a fan of the Batman movies, and used images from the recent Batman Lego one.
For Andersen, changes — whether they be in his nutrition, workouts, or even art design on his mask — are all part of the ever-evolving mind of a goalie.
“You have to challenge yourself, but I don’t put too much thought into (slow starts) or anything like that … obviously, you have to start strong, we have a good team here and you have to win games, put points in the book, and have a great season,” he said.