Toronto traded goalie James Reimer to the San Jose Sharks on Feb. 27 for goalie Alex Stalock, who then joined the Minnesota Wild on July 1 as a free agent.
Bernier was traded for a conditional draft pick after going 12-21-3 with a 2.88 GAA and .908 save percentage making 36 starts last season. Reimer made 29 starts for Toronto (11-12-7, 2.49, .918).
"A good opportunity for [Bernier], a new start, sometimes those are real good things," Babcock said. "[Bernier] did a real good job for us in the second half last year. [He] struggled at the start and really dug in and was a good pro and helped our team. We wish him luck."
The Maple Leafs sent two draft picks to the Ducks for Andersen, who then signed a five-year, $25 million contract with Toronto.
"Acquiring [Andersen] was a big deal for our team," Babcock said. "We think it gives us a top-flight goaltender, gives us a starter."
Andersen is 77-26-12 with a 2.33 GAA and .918 save percentage in 125 NHL games. He won 35 games two seasons ago.
"You're always looking for top-notch goaltending," Babcock said. "It makes the coach better, it makes the players better, it gives you confidence.
"We paid a price to do this. Obviously, we felt that we had done our work, and this is a good opportunity for us. I think he's excited to come and we look forward to him."
