Did the Leafs make a mistake letting Andersen walk?
At this point, just past the half way point of the season, the stats put up by players are starting to shape what the entirety of their season will be. The Leafs have impressive players in Matthews and Marner, and Michael Bunting has been a great surprise on the top line, and seems to be able to keep up with the big boys.
After a brilliant start to the season, Jack Campbell has come crashing back down to earth as of late. He does still hold a 23-8-4 record with a .917 save percentage, but his recent play is a big departure from his Vezina-calibre performances early on in the campaign.
Free agent signing Petr Mrazek has been less than stellar as well (9-4-0, .895 SV%), even if his play has improved slightly (at least in terms of results) in recent contests.
All of this to say, you have to wonder if it was a big mistake letting netminder Frederik Andersen walk away for nothing this past summer in free agency. It is fair to say that the defense corps playing in front of him in Carolina is much more consistent and plays a better defensive system than the Leafs, but his numbers speak for themselves. Andersen sports a 29-7-2 record to this point in the season and with a save percentage of .930, trailing only Igor Shesterkin when looking at goalies that have played more than 20 games. His numbers are better than Campbell's, and he's playing on a team that plays a rigid system under Coach Rod Brind'Amour.
Many Leafs fans have heard this story before though. Freddie has had impressive regular seasons before. What he does in the playoffs will provide the real answers as to whether or not he's a changed (and improved) man, or whether the demons of playoffs past are still around to haunt him. Many Leaf fans are already looking ahead to the playoffs as well, and are waiting for the team to prove they can compete (and win) when it matters most.
