Emil Andrae didn’t need a blockbuster summer to change his outlook. A smaller move was enough.
The 24-year-old defenseman landed with the Toronto Maple Leafs in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers, and he’s already sounding like a player who sees opportunity in the move. Toronto’s new general manager, John Chayka, spent the offseason stacking up minor transactions rather than swinging for one huge headline grab, and Andrae was one of the quieter additions.
At the Leafs’ annual preseason golf tournament, Andrae said he had an idea a deal might be coming.
“I had a little bit of a feeling maybe,” Andrae said. “There’s a lot of young guys coming up there, a lot of prospects that they need to get into the team, into the league.
For me, it was a great thing to get moved, too. I love the guys there and I love the place, love playing in that city, but I think a fresh start for me now is going to be perfect, and yeah, I couldn’t be more excited to be here.”
That fresh start matters because Andrae never really got a long runway in Philadelphia. He was stuck outside the top four and couldn’t quite break through, even as he turned 24 last season.
The Flyers already had Cam York and Jamie Drysdale in the mix, and their arrival kept Andrae buried behind other undersized, puckmoving defensemen. Oliver Bonk’s rise only added more pressure on that blue line.
Toronto, though, presents a very different opening. The Leafs have plenty of big, rugged defenders, but not nearly enough blue-liners who can move the puck cleanly.
That’s where Andrae fits. He brings a different look, a little more youth, and a chance to climb faster than he could in Philadelphia.
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Leafs Have A Blue Line Battle Fans Should Be Watching
The Maple Leafs have added another name to the mix on the blue line, bringing in right-handed defenseman Nick Blankenburg on a professional tryout as training camp opens. It is the kind of move teams make when they want a closer look before making any commitments, and in this case it gives Toronto another option to sort through as it tries to firm up its defensive depth.
Blankenburg arrives with NHL experience and a real chance to push for more than just an extended look, but the path is crowded. Philippe Myers and Troy Stecher are also in the picture, which turns this into one of the more interesting camp battles to watch as the Leafs sort out who can handle a reserve role and who can actually stick when the roster decisions get serious. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Get Their Answer In Connor Hellebuyck Speculation
Connor Hellebuycks trade request out of Winnipeg has already stirred plenty of conversation around the league, but the Maple Leafs are not part of the chase. Torontos goaltending situation has been steady enough that there is no obvious need to jump into a market clouded by uncertainty, especially with reports suggesting Hellebuyck is not keen on landing with a Canadian club.
For the Jets, the problem is bigger than simply finding a buyer. The offers around Hellebuyck have been described as underwhelming, and his stated preference only narrows the field further. For the Leafs, though, the answer appears simple enough: they can watch the speculation from a distance and stick with the tandem they already trust. [Read more 🡒]
Matthew Knies Could Be Headed For A Leafs Role Fans Wont Like
Matthew Knies is back from injury and still looks like a significant piece of the Maple Leafs forward mix, even with trade talk continuing to hover around the roster. His blend of size, skill and straight-line power gives Toronto a player who can fit in more than one role, and that flexibility is part of why he keeps showing up in lineup discussions as the Leafs sort through their options.
The wrinkle is that the numbers suggest Knies has not been equally effective with every teammate, which opens the door to a placement fans may not love. One possibility is a lower-line role built around a checking unit, where his offense and physical game could be paired with Nick Paul and Colton Sissons, giving Toronto a different kind of look while trying to get more out of Knies in situations that fit his strengths. [Read more 🡒]