The Toronto Maple Leafs checked another box off in their busy offseason, signing defenceman Emil Andrae to a two-year contract.The new deal for Andrae, a restricted free agent this summer, comes with a cap hit of $1.55 million, according to a league source speaking on the condition of anonymity to address negotiations that aren’t public.Andrae joined the Leafs last month in the trade that sent Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit to the Flyers.The 24-year-old was attractive, in part, to new Leafs GM John Chayka and his staff for the youth he brought to a defence stuffed with 30-and-older types.
Following the trade in June, Chayka described Andrae as a “smart, competitive” player who “helps us break the puck more efficiently, a good puck-mover that can also help join the rush and support offence as well.”A second-round pick of the Flyers in 2020, Andrae has suited up in 107 NHL games. He produced 13 points in 61 games last season, in about 15 minutes a night.Andrae figures to play a third-pairing role for the Leafs next season. He can play both the left and right sides, offering new Leafs coach Jim Hiller some flexibility when constructing his defence.The Leafs have been busy this week.Sergei Bobrovsky headlined their action on July 1. In addition to the new No. 1 goaltender, who signed a three-year deal worth $21 million, the Leafs also signed forwards Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger, Jack Roslovic and Brandon Duhaime. The team also acquired another forward, Nick Paul, in a trade with the Lightning that sent Dennis Hildeby and draft picks to Tampa.In another trade with their division rival in Tampa last month, the Leafs acquired defenceman Darren Raddysh, and signed him to an eight-year contract.The team also hired Hiller as head coach.
