Anaheim Ducks general manager Bob Murray didn't want to trade goaltender Frederik Andersen. He had no choice.
"This is a situation that just had to happen at this time," Murray said of the deal that saw Andersen head east to the Toronto Maple Leafs for two draft picks - a first-round pick in 2016 and a second-round pick in 2017.
"There was no avoiding it," he added.
Bob Murray says he was dreading possibility that he might have to choose between Gibson/Andersen, but Andersen contract talks prevented it.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 20, 2016
Andersen was a restricted free agent Monday morning, while John Gibson, who split the Ducks' crease with Andersen, is signed through 2018-19 at a cap hit of $2.3 million. It's Gibson's net now.
Andersen's a No. 1 now, too, with Toronto locking him up to a five-year deal worth a reported $25 million.
With restricted free agents Hampus Lindholm, Rickard Rakell, and Brandon Pirri needing new contracts, and numerous unrestricted free agents - including in-season acquisitions David Perron and Jamie McGinn - Andersen had to go.
Murray said he has interest in re-signing Perron/McGinn; is looking at keeping rest of D "but I’m still taking phone calls."
— Curtis Zupke (@curtiszupke) June 20, 2016
"This is managing your assets," Murray added. "I'm not worried about what we have left."
Murray says they need to get a veteran backup now who can play 25-30 games a year. "There's a few of them out there."
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) June 20, 2016
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