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By Lance Hornby

TORONTO — At times early last season, Frederik Andersen came off the ice at practice, saw a wall of media forming at his doorstep and felt like going back out to ride with the Zamboni driver.

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Losing five of his first seven decisions, the big Danish defender was getting tired of questions about a slow start, exacerbated by an Olympic qualifying game leg injury, a short camp and the fast track of Toronto life compared to laid-back Anaheim.

But he settled in, thanks partly to Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock constantly telling detractors to be patient and soon the questions about Andersen’s play and his five-year, US$25 million contract dried up.

By April, his 33-win total put him just four shy of the single-season club record and, like Felix Potvin and Curtis Joseph in their splashy arrivals, the addition of a solid starter put the Leafs back on the playoff map.

With a better opening kick in the former Duck’s second season in Toronto, Andersen could end up with even better numbers and the Leafs with a higher seed and longer spring. He’s certainly exhibiting a more carefree attitude these days, after Wednesday’s intense game of half-rink hockey with Leafs and Marlies who’ve arrived for workouts ahead of official September training camp.