Rumors are hot and heavy that Frederik Andersen might be traded. In fact, there are some rumors that suggest Andersen already knows something and is actively preparing to leave.
Although trades are supposed to emotionless, I don’t believe they are. Instead, I believe that, because the players being traded are human, they, in fact, are filled with human emotions. It must a very personal experience to be traded – to be moved from what was home to a place that you might not wish to go.
My best sense is that the closest most non-athletes would come to experiencing being traded – being moved out by a team – would be getting a divorce.
Related: Would Andersen Trade Make Matthews a Coyote in 4 Years?
What Might Frederik Andersen Feel as Part of Being Traded?
In this post, I want to explore some of the feelings that Andersen might be experiencing. I will do this in a series of separate thoughts.
Thought #1: Being Traded Is Part of the Game, But It Isn’t Without Feeling
Being traded from one team to another comes with being a professional hockey player. In that way, Andersen is similar to many other NHL players. Most hockey players stand straight up and offer announcements that thank their former organization and then say they are looking forward to a new start with a new team.
In fact, I think they mean it when they say these things. But I don’t think they are telling us everything they’re thinking – and that’s probably wise.
Still, every once-in-a-while, you get a sense of what it’s like for at least some hockey players to be forced to leave a team they want to play for. A recent Maple Leafs example was former-Maple Leafs player Nazem Kadri, who was traded to the Colorado Avalanche last season. He would have been traded earlier to the Calgary Flames but he nixed the trade because he could – he had a clause in his contract that allowed him to do so. However, when he finally came to realize that he clearly wasn’t part of the team’s future plans he relented and approved the trade to the Avalanche.
Fortunately, that trade seemed to turn out well for Kadri and, in retrospect, he might actually be pleased he agreed to move to Denver. One would hope that, if Andersen is moved, he would experience a similar fate.
For me, as a Maple Leafs fan I will continue to root for players I cheered for when they were with the Maple Leafs. Specifically, Tyler Ennis became one of my favorite players when he played for the Maple Leafs and he continues to be with the Edmonton Oilers.
Thought #2: This Isn’t Frederik Andersen’s First Trade, But It Seems Different this Time
I can’t help thinking about what it must be like for Andersen to think about being traded. If the Maple Leafs trade him – as it looks as if they might do – it won’t be the first time he’s been traded. In June 2016, the Anaheim Ducks Andersen traded Andersen to the Toronto Maple Leafs for two draft picks (for Maple Leafs 30th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft (which the Ducks used to choose Sam Steel) and a second-round draft pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft (which the Ducks used to select Maxime Comtois). In fact, both these young men are currently playing in Anaheim.
I’m sure Andersen had mixed feelings about leaving southern California for Canada and that he had made close friends with the Ducks. On the other hand, he was in his mid-20s then and it was clear the Ducks had chosen the younger John Gibson as their starting goalie. Thus, Andersen was moved to the Maple Leafs. There probably was some ambivalence, but also some joy that he would have a better chance to play regularly.
Things seem different now for Andersen. He wasn’t THE goalie with the Ducks, but he has been with the Maple Leafs. After five successful seasons and gaining the status as the go-to guy in goal, Andersen must have feelings about being re-moved from that status.
He’s also been close to his Toronto teammates. Prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, he was regularly seen with other Maple Leafs players at Toronto Raptors basketball games. When the NHL’s regular season was suspended, he took up residence in Arizona with teammate Auston Matthews and the two shared a condo for a couple of months.
Toronto’s been home and he’s made solid friends there. Still, in his head, he has to understand that the Maple Leafs’ salary cap issues, the repercussion of another early postseason exit, and his complicated contract situation make him a unique trade possibility.
Related: Maple Leafs Have Talked to Andersen About Possible Trade
Thought #3: Andersen Is Moving On: What Does That Mean?
When a hockey player “moves on,” there are at least two senses by which “moving on” occurs. First, there’s moving on from strong friendships and relationships. But, there’s a second sense of moving on, which is in terms of being seen as losing so much value where you were that you are no longer desired there (at least as much as someone else).
Both senses of moving on must be difficult; and, although professional hockey players (and other professional athletes) are not alone in that feeling, they certainly feel it strongly.
Recently, I’ve been reading about the psychological difficulties of retirement and why so many professional athletes go bankrupt, divorce, lose a sense of identity, and can no longer find an outlet for the “focus” that once drove so much of their lives as athletes.
My point is that, although professional athletes “move on” as part of their professional experience, they still suffer from a loss of both relationships and value that comes from being traded.
I find it hard not to feel for these athletes. They might be very wealthy compared to regular Canadians, but research also suggests that they suffer more depression and loss of value than most Canadians – and, they do it at a much younger age.
If He’s Traded, I Wish Andersen Well
I can’t help but wonder how Andersen feels about being traded. I don’t read anyone writing about it or hear anyone talking about it; but, somehow, it seems worth considering.
I wonder what Kadri would tell Andersen if they spoke together on the phone. I’d love to listen.
