Frederik Andersen hopes to play before the end of the season

Today after spending the full practice, and some additional time beforehand on the ice, Frederik Andersen met the media:

Frederik Andersen says he hopes to return for game action before the playoffs. He was on the ice for more than 90 minutes today.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 26, 2021

Frederik Andersen says injury is "something around my knee"

Relieved it's heading in the right direction

Didn't feel confident pushing off or stopping, which is why he decided rest/recovery was necessary following that game March 19

— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) April 26, 2021

Frederik Andersen on dealing with injuries in a contract year:

"I know what I'm worth, and I'm a great goalie, so I don't think that's really at the forefront."

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) April 26, 2021

Andersen on when he can return: Of course it's it's great if I can get in game action, I think we have different options to try to do that.

— David Alter (@dalter) April 26, 2021

What are those options? They involve some gymnastic cap manoeuvres that would almost certainly require at least one player named Zach to be put on retroactive LTIR. Maybe two.

Andersen, on the decision to stop playing: I reached the point where I just couldn't kind of feel confident in the net and pushing and stopping as hard as I needed to be aggressive. It was really hard to say stop. I think as a competitor you don’t want to admit or say stop.

— David Alter (@dalter) April 26, 2021

The Leafs have to very much want and need to see Andersen in game action prior to the playoffs. No matter if he plays, how he does, and how well Jack Campbell plays in his remaining games, this is a fully fledged goalie controversy. There are already discussions about which goalie Sheldon Keefe should choose, based on no viewings of Andersen. If the salary cap can’t be stretched to allow him to return, the Leafs then have to consider that they need to play him just so he can be played if they suddenly have no choice.

None of this is simple, and it’s not just about picking who Keefe likes best. The Leafs may well need both Campbell and Andersen before this season is over.

Update:

Keefe says he wants to get new guys Hutton, Noesen in a game and return to Robertson and Engvall, but says the play of Sandin and Brooks has created a pleasant roster dilemma. Says Hyman injury timeline is the same.

— Lance Hornby (@sunhornby) April 26, 2021

They can’t do these things and bring Andersen back at the same time, it would seem. So this might be a first do this, then the goalie situation for the last few games.