{"id":24859,"date":"2018-03-04T23:07:16","date_gmt":"2018-03-05T04:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=24859"},"modified":"2018-03-05T01:19:15","modified_gmt":"2018-03-05T06:19:15","slug":"frederik-andersen-a-toronto-maple-leaf-great","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/03\/04\/frederik-andersen-a-toronto-maple-leaf-great\/","title":{"rendered":"Frederik Andersen: a Toronto Maple Leaf Great"},"content":{"rendered":"

On February 27, the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> lost to the Florida Panthers<\/a>\u00a03-2 \u2013 but the takeaway was Frederik Andersen<\/a><\/strong>. Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo<\/a><\/strong> called Andersen one of the top goalies in the NHL. “It’s nice [to hear],” said Andersen, 28<\/a>, “Obviously, he has been around for a long time and seen a lot of good goalies. That’s cool to get some praise from him.”<\/p>\n

Frederik Andersen: a Toronto Maple Leaf Great<\/h1>\n

It’s been more than a decade since fans at Air Canada Centre have chanted a goaltender’s name with such consistency.<\/p>\n

Until he signed with the Detroit Red Wings<\/a> as a free agent in 2002, Curtis Joseph<\/a><\/strong> often heard capacity crowds at Toronto Maple Leafs home games salute his acrobatics in the crease with cries of “Cu-jo, Cu-jo.” After future Hall of Famer Ed Belfour<\/a><\/strong> was brought in to replace him to start the 2002-03 season, the chants were appreciative serenades of “Ed-die, Ed-die.”<\/p>\n

Belfour was worthy of those vocal accolades, helping the Maple Leafs defeat the Ottawa Senators<\/a> in seven games in the 2004 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. Who could have guessed that, nearly 14 years later, Toronto would not have won a playoff series since then? (They have made the playoffs twice in that span; 2013, when they lost in seven games to the Boston Bruins<\/a> in the conference quarterfinals, and last season, when they lost in six games to the Washington Capitals<\/a> in the Eastern Conference First Round.)<\/p>\n

Thanks in part to goaltender Frederik Andersen, however, there is hope that the dry spell will come to an end this spring.<\/p>\n

With apologies to centre\u00a0Auston Matthews<\/a><\/strong>, Andersen (32-17-5) is considered by those inside the Toronto dressing room to be the Maple Leafs MVP this season. A few days ago, Andersen\u2019s 1-0 victory over the Florida Panthers on was his NHL career-high fifth shutout.<\/p>\n

Frederik Andersen: The Kid from Denmark<\/h2>\n

Here’s this 28-year-old kid from Denmark who started his career with the\u00a0Anaheim Ducks<\/a>. Not the prototype you’d figure would flourish playing in the fishbowl of Toronto. But he’s got the perfect easygoing demeanour to survive the spotlight.<\/p>\n

Don’t let Andersen’s laid-back personality<\/a> fool you, however. Underneath the surface rests a combustible personality and an intense focus on winning.<\/p>\n

“If there is one thing I’ve learned about Freddie after I arrived here last year, it’s just what a fiery competitor he is,” backup goalie Curtis McElhinney<\/a><\/strong> said<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That was never more evident than in his comments after the Maple Leafs lost 5-2 to the Washington Capitals<\/a> on Saturday March 3rd<\/sup> at the NHL Stadium series game in Annapolis<\/a>, Maryland. It was Toronto’s third consecutive loss.<\/p>\n

“We’ve got to figure out who wants to commit to playing for the team,” Andersen said.<\/a> “I don’t think we’re tired. I think it’s lack of effort at certain points and that’s something that can’t happen.”<\/p>\n

Even after the Maple Leafs lost to the Capitals<\/a>, Toronto sits firmly in third position in the Atlantic division entering their away game against the Buffalo Sabres<\/a> on Monday (7:30 p.m. ET). In the minds of his teammates, Andersen is the reason why the Leafs have excelled this season even with a young roster.<\/p>\n

“Freddie’s a quiet guy but when he speaks up, everyone listens,” forward Zach Hyman<\/a><\/strong> said. “It means something, he’s been our best player this year.”<\/p>\n

Andersen had weight issues last season, but he and coach Mike Babcock credit the goalie’s new diet and strength program for his success in his fifth NHL season.<\/p>\n

“I think a huge part of it is fitness,” Babcock said. “He did a real nice job this summer and so he’s just building off of confidence.”<\/p>\n

Main Image Credit:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n