Anaheim Ducks: In Freddie We Trust
Frederik Andersen will be in the running for the Vezina Trophy next season. The question is where will he be playing.
If the Anaheim Ducks front office has any hockey IQ at all, Freddie Andersen will be their top Restricted Free Agent priority. I know there are many people that are going to argue that Rickard Rakell or maybe Defensmen Lindholm and Vatanen should be the top signings this offseason; but in my opinion Andersen is a top goaltender in the NHL. Without excellent goaltending the Stanley Cup is a pipe dream for any team.
Andersen is hands down the best goalie available in free agency this offseason. The next could be Cam Ward, who at 32 is getting closer to the end of his career. With that said, Frederik Andersen is one of the best goal tenders in the NHL, In his rookie season he won 20 of 24 starts earning him 9th overall in Calder Trophy voting(the only goaltender in the top ten in votes that year.) The 2014/2015 season saw him win 35 games in 53 starts with 5 overtime losses earning the team 75 points. I’m not saying he breaks Brodeur’s record but given the chance he could have broken the 40 mark.
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Last season was just odd, after having earned the starting job in 14/15 Andersen is seemingly forced to share the crease with John Gibson in a two on two off formate. I’ve said before goalie tandems are not the way to go, let the goalie that has worked for the net protect the net. We saw in the series against Nashville this postseason what happens when you force someone into a situation they’re not ready for. Gibson may be the future for the Ducks but Andersen is the present, and the present needs to be rewarded for the work he has done to help this team get to where they are.
“I like playing here and all the guys love having me in the net. I like it here, so obviously, I would love to play here.” Frederik Andersen
Bob Murray needs to make Freddie(to paraphrase the Godfather)an offer he can’t refuse. The pieces are there, and with Andersen backstopping this team the Cup is a very big possibility. So please Bob do the right thing and give Freddie the contract he deserves and let him stay in Anaheim.