After participating in his first full practice this past week, there could be some clarity on when Frederik Andersen makes his return to the ice for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Andersen is approaching nearly six weeks since he last played as he’s been recovering from a knee injury. Depending on what happens over the next few days, this is expected to be a big week in determining the timing of his return to the crease.
“The Leafs in the coming days do have some more practice time. And I think at that point, it will be a little clearer on when he’s coming back,” Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston explained during Saturday Headlines on Hockey Night in Canada. “I think the natural question is, will it be in the NHL, or potentially the American Hockey League because players on long-term injured reserve do have the option to go on a conditioning session for up to three games or six days.”
With Toronto using the long-term injury provision on Andersen in order to exceed the salary cap ceiling it’s unlikely to see him get NHL minutes before the post-season. This is why getting him some games with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL could be the likely solution.
In 23 games this season, the 31-year-old has a 13-8-2 record with a 2.91 goals-against average and .897 save percentage. Andersen is also in the final year of his deal with the Leafs and will be a pending unrestricted free agent.
Andersen was asked earlier this week if his desire to return to the ice was related his pending contract status.
“Not really, because I think I know what I’m worth. I know I’m a great goalie,” Andersen explained. “I think the biggest part is what we’ve got going on here on the team. I think we have really special opportunities here to do something special this year. I think the group we have here is amazing, they’ve done a lot of hard work and it’s rolling well.
“The biggest motivator for me is just being part of that. I want to contribute to that and I want to be with the group.”
Jack Campbell has assumed the starting job in Andersen’s absence posting a 14-2-1 record with a 2.14 GAA and .925 save percentage in 17 games. The team also acquired David Rittich at the trade deadline to provide some depth behind Campbell.
