Andersen aims higher with assist from friendly fire
NIAGARA FALLS— While opposing goalies may dread facing the Maple Leafs’ powerhouse forwards, remember Frederik Andersen has to face them every day in practice.
The goaltender says Auston Matthews is the toughest of the bunch, followed closely by Mitch Marner.
“Auston, right now, has too many shots,” said Andersen. “He can shoot from in tight or a little further out, and a quick release as well. Mitch has a good couple of shots.”
Making it difficult is all part of the game plan.
“It’s great,” said Andersen. “It’s one of those things where you get to practise against really great players. We’re fortunate to have guys who can shoot the puck really well … We push each other to get better. That’s what it’s going to take, that kind of culture, where every practice is as hard as the game.”
For all the hoopla over the signing of John Tavares and the growth of Matthews and Marner, Andersen remains arguably the most important Leaf.
He has not yet reached the upper echelon of NHL goaltenders or contended for a Vezina Trophy, and he has stretches — usually early in the season and again around February — where he swoons and the team slips along with him.
He is also the Leafs’ best goalie since Ed Belfour and can steal games. When he’s hot, he’s nearly unbeatable.
Andersen and Matthews have become good friends and, along with defenceman Morgan Rielly, spent a lot of time together off the ice.
“We have a lot of leaders in this group, but you can never have enough,” said the 28-yearold Andersen. “I’m trying to become more of a veteran, someone people look to in all sorts of times.”
Perhaps reflecting the goalie’s importance to the team, coach Mike Babcock visited Andersen at his home in Denmark in the off-season, during Babcock’s trip to the world championship in May.
“He spent some time with my family. It was a nice gesture by him,” said Andersen, adding that his parents “both got an hour or two off work to get home. Had coffee ready for him and a danish ready for him in Denmark.”
“It was refreshing to get to know each other better outside the hockey rink.”
With all due respect to the three goalies chasing the backup spot — Curtis McElhinney, Garret Sparks and Calvin Pickard — a long-term injury to Andersen would have a huge negative impact on the Leafs’ fortunes.
The eternal debate is about the ideal number of games for Andersen, after playing 66 in consecutive seasons with identical .918 save percentages. The Leafs will play on back-to-back nights13 times, meaning he’d be on track for 69 appearances.
“I think it’s great to have that plan, but what if the schedule and points don’t add up the way you want?” said Babcock. “So it’s great to say that, but we’ll see what happens.”
The debate seems to make Andersen bristle.
“I don’t have (an ideal number),” said Andersen. “That’s for the coaching staff. I’m worried about what my job is. I’m not worried about that stuff too much. (The training and medical staff ) do a great job of keeping my body ready (with) all the treatment. I want to be ready when they put me in there.”