Ducks send Frederik Andersen to Maple Leafs for two picks

The Toronto Maple Leafs may have found their No. 1 goalie in acquiring Frederik Andersen from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for the 30th pick in this weekend’s NHL Draft and a 2017 second-rounder.

Ducks GM Bob Murray knew he’d have to move one of his goaltenders to open some cap space to re-sign other players and to also not lose one of them in an expansion draft next year without getting assets back in return. Andersen, 26, is a restricted free agent, and eligible for salary arbitration. 

Andersen posted a .928 even strength save percentage and three shutouts in 43 starts this season with the Ducks. He was even better in the playoffs with a .934 ESSV in five starts during their seven-game opening round series against Nashville.

After signing Sami Vatanen over the weekend, Murray’s work continues as he’ll need to re-sign Hampus Lindholm to keep his blue line intact and decide on forwards Rickard Rakell, David Perron, among others. He said over the weekend “a high-quality left winger” tops his free agent shopping list, but what kind of cap space he’ll be able to work with is still unknown. 

Meanwhile, Toronto still has Jonathan Bernier under contract for one more season, and if he isn’t moved and Andersen is able to be signed, they’ll likely have a goaltending duo making north of $8 million this coming season. This move strengthens their crease situation and shows just how important stockpiling draft picks can be when they're used to fill needs and not just fill your prospect cupboard.

The Maple Leafs will have an active summer looking to go from rebuild to playoff team. It began today and will resume Friday when it’s expected they’ll select Auston Matthews No. 1 overall at the draft. Come July 1? That’s when the fun will continue.

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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy

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