Confirmed with Link: Leafs acquire Emil Andrae, Samuel Ersson, 2026 3rd for Joseph Woll, Simon Benoit

[Fogelhund]

Sad to see Woll go. But they had to do something with their goaltending. Ersson sucks pretty bad but should be someone that can duel AA with the Marlies next year.

$1.6 mil QO. I doubt we even bother at that price.

 

[SprDaVE]

I don't love this.

Andrae is a little intriguing. Younger with more mobility than a lot of the current back line. Maybe it signals Mo is on the move soon.

From the goalie angle I don't get it at all.

From the goaltender angle it's pretty simple. Hildeby and AA have been pushing up. Hildeby is not waiver exempt anymore. Stolarz just got an extension and had a horrific season. Woll also had a rough season but cheaper contract and a younger option meant his value was a little better.

So the Leafs chose to trade a goaltender with some form of value, keeping their younger option. So next season it does look like a Stolarz-Hildeby-AA trio... at least that's what it looks like right now.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

leafs probably believe AA is making the jump this year

At the end of the day, Stolarz is untradeable and if we had to choose between Woll and Hildeby, it’s easily Dennis for me.

 

[Stephen]

Hello Leaf fans, I come in peace. Im a big analytics nerd so can kinda give some insight on why this is a good pickup (and why Chayka wanted Emil Andrae)

Simply put, he wins his minutes on the ice at an incredible rate. He is in the 80th% in zone exits and puck moving. Hes small, but he makes your blue line instantly more mobile and much better at moving the puck up the ice

View attachment 1254917

The middle column is the big one for me. He is elite at zone exits under possession, both at skating it out and passing it out

This is a good pickup using a position you have alot of depth in

I feel like he’s a Sam Girard type player?

 

[ULF_55]

How was Andre a +15?

 

[robertmac43]

Hello Leaf fans, I come in peace. Im a big analytics nerd so can kinda give some insight on why this is a good pickup (and why Chayka wanted Emil Andrae)

Simply put, he wins his minutes on the ice at an incredible rate. He is in the 80th% in zone exits and puck moving. Hes small, but he makes your blue line instantly more mobile and much better at moving the puck up the ice

View attachment 1254917

The middle column is the big one for me. He is elite at zone exits under possession, both at skating it out and passing it out

This is a good pickup using a position you have alot of depth in

This is what I needed to see. I would have guess the puck. movement would be a big reason for moving him.

My guess is it means Mo is on the out sooner than later.

 

[Fogelhund]

What a lousy return for Woll.

A third isn’t a bad return for an oft injured goalie, who just had a terrible World Championship. Plus we dumped Benoit’s contract.

We got a third and two players that we likely don’t tender an offer to.

 

[robertmac43]

From the goaltender angle it's pretty simple. Hildeby and AA have been pushing up. Hildeby is not waiver exempt anymore. Stolarz just got an extension and had a horrific season. Woll also had a rough season but cheaper contract and a younger option meant his value was a little better.

So the Leafs chose to trade a goaltender with some form of value, keeping their younger option. So next season it does look like a Stolarz-Hildeby-AA trio... at least that's what it looks like right now.

Yeah makes sense. Felt a little abrupt.

 

[stickty111]

 

[Leaf Fans]

Good deal we needed pmd, we got cap an extra pick. Kinda tough to give up Woll but something had to give. Nice job Chakya.

 

[Folignos Helmet]

I really liked Woll, but the injuries destined him to unreliable territory.

I don't know anything about Andrae to know if its a decent return.

I'm still holding out hope we trade Stolarz too and sign Bob to run with Hildeby/AA, just to spice things up!

 

[RayzorIsDull]

OK at least Ersson's contract is done but this is still a shit trade

No it isn't. Creates cap room get a D back and promote one of the Marlies goaltenders. Not everything is bad.

 

[SprDaVE]

Yeah makes sense. Felt a little abrupt.

We were so used to Treliving doing nothing all off-season. We're about to see a manager probably a little more busy during the busiest time of the off-season, for better or worst.

 

[Dayjobdave]

Emil Andrae is a highly skilled, mobile, and undersized two-way defenseman known for his excellent hockey IQ, aggressive physical play, and elite puck-handling. Despite his smaller stature, he compensates with a remarkably strong, stocky build that allows him to play a surprisingly heavy and fearless game.

Key Playing Style Traits:

• Puck-Moving & Vision: He excels at transitioning the puck from his own zone. He relies on smart, quick outlet passes and calm decision-making to evade forecheckers and spark breakouts.
• Offensive Assertiveness: He is highly creative at the offensive blue line. He uses his deceptive skating, edge work, and patience to walk the line, bait defenders, and create odd-man situations.
• Fearless Physicality: Despite standing around 5'9", he refuses to shy away from contact. He plays a scrappy, 200-foot game, actively initiating hits along the boards and winning tough puck battles.
• Poise & Gap Control: He plays with a maturity beyond his age, rarely appearing overwhelmed under pressure. He consistently maintains tight, effective gap control in the neutral and defensive zones.

Well that works for me. We need that mobility and snippiness.

We can use that 3rd round pick as well.

Goes without saying Woll will have a hot streak and look amazing in Philly before he gets hurt, and Benoit probably already has a Flyer tattoo on him somewhere - exactly what they would like in a d-man.

 

[ER89]

The off-season just started so I assume more to come on that front. I don't think they are placing all their chips on Andrae being an everyday NHLer.

then this is a stupid f***ing trad ngl.

woll is a 1a in this league. If he played for vegas they win.

 

[Malachi Crunch]

Lack of impulse control on this thread. Take some time to think about it before shitting on it.

 

[francis246]

I agree Woll had little value, thats why I wouldve kept him. He's still more reliable than Stolarz

I think you have to look at it from when both are healthy. I think Stolarz is slightly better. He’s also bigger, yes he’s older but I just think it comes down to who do they believe is the better goalie.

Plus looking at the trade I think it’s a cap clearing move, maybe they are acquiring someone and then acquiring the early 3rd. I really believe they are going to try and move up in this years draft in the 2nd round.

 

[cyris]

Sounds all good but where is he slotting in?

Our LD is firmly occupied by Rielly, McCabe and OEL.

They are on the left side now. Training camp is a long way away

 

[SprDaVE]

$1.6 mil QO. I doubt we even bother at that price.

Yeah seems very unlikely. Maybe a small chance they don't qualify but still look at giving him a 1 year deal maybe. The Marlies could use a goaltender next year anyway.

 

[Fogelhund]

Hello Leaf fans, I come in peace. Im a big analytics nerd so can kinda give some insight on why this is a good pickup (and why Chayka wanted Emil Andrae)

Simply put, he wins his minutes on the ice at an incredible rate. He is in the 80th% in zone exits and puck moving. Hes small, but he makes your blue line instantly more mobile and much better at moving the puck up the ice

View attachment 1254917

The middle column is the big one for me. He is elite at zone exits under possession, both at skating it out and passing it out

This is a good pickup using a position you have alot of depth in

Thanks. Better than expected. Let’s see how this plays out.

 

[brrt]

Lets go! Trades!!

I like this a lot for Philly. Massive, and much needed, upgrade in net for a cheap price.

 

[fahad203]

Feels like they just wanted to get rid of Woll and his contract. They probably lost faith in him with injury issues and his play at WC

Really wanted to like the guy but really he was too injured and too inconsistent.

I wonder if they are going after someone big, someone like Helly?

I read it somewhere Leafs are after someone big........... I hope that's not the case. I would hate Helly or Bob

But I guess Chayka era has officially begun.

 

[JKG33]

I think you have to look at it from when both are healthy. I think Stolarz is slightly better. He’s also bigger, yes he’s older but I just think it comes down to who do they believe is the better goalie.

Plus looking at the trade I think it’s a cap clearing move, maybe they are acquiring someone and then acquiring the early 3rd. I really believe they are going to try and move up in this years draft in the 2nd round.

Stolarz also has been in even worse health than Woll, which is really saying something.

There are better ways to clear cap than this

 

[Fogelhund]

Sounds all good but where is he slotting in?

Our LD is firmly occupied by Rielly, McCabe and OEL.

Rielly won’t be here at minimum.

 

[Cams]

I'm not sure if it was on here or maybe one of the TSN personalities saying the Flyers were kicking tires and interested in Woll just a few weeks ago.

Gaining the cap space is probably the best thing about this deal. And people need to relax....it's day 2 of the offseason!

With the way AA is performing this playoff it should be an interesting battle for the net next year with Hildeby/Stolarz likely getting starts and AA putting pressure on them. Ersson can be a Marlie with NHL experience if both guys go down with injury. Will see how Peksa progresses too.