Andrae signed a reported $1.55 million on an average annual basis as the Maple Leafs now juggle other roster decisions.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed 24-year-old defenseman Emil Andrae to a two-year contract, the club announced on Saturday. According to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, the deal is worth $1.55 million per season, locking down a young asset for the blue line. The club acquired the Swedish defenseman from the Philadelphia Flyers in a trade that sent goaltender Joseph Woll and fellow defenseman Simon Benoit back to the City of Brotherly Love.
Andrae played in 61 games for Philly last season, scoring two goals and adding 11 assists while averaging 14:31 of even-strength ice time. He projects as a versatile, puck-moving depth piece for Toronto. Given his past deployment in Philadelphia, he will look to fit into the Maple Leafs' bottom four, potentially competing for a steady role on the third pairing or sliding up as an injury replacement. His transition game and composure with the puck should complement Toronto's existing defensive structure, providing general manager John Chayka with a younger, cost-controlled option compared to the departed Benoit.
However, adding Andrae complicates an already tight financial landscape. Along with the signing of first-overall draft pick Gavin McKenna to his entry-level contract, the Leafs currently project 23 players on their roster for next season and find themselves $2,752,382 over the salary cap.
The Leafs may not be done this offseason, nor would they need to carry all 23 players on the active roster if they need to be cap compliant by the start of the regular season. Demoting extra players to the AHL or pulling off another trade could easily shave off the necessary figures. There’s also the lack of clarity on forward Max Domi’s status, who could start the season on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) after having complications due to off-season surgery. If Domi goes to LTIR, his cap hit would temporarily alleviate their financial squeeze. Speaking on Kyper and Bourne this week, Leafs GM John Chayka noted that Domi is progressing, but his health remains a major wildcard in Toronto's cap puzzle.
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