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Where will Craig Anderson sign?

By Jacob Larivière |
OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 5: Craig Anderson #41 of the Ottawa Senators guards his net against the New York Rangers at Canadian Tire Centre on October 5, 2019 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 5: Craig Anderson #41 of the Ottawa Senators guards his net against the New York Rangers at Canadian Tire Centre on October 5, 2019 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

Earlier this month, the Ottawa Senators announced that they were not going to re-sign Craig Anderson. The Anderson era in Ottawa is not over. However, Anderson is still a UFA, and he has said he wants to play this season. In this piece, I evaluate what teams could use Anderson’s services this upcoming season.

First, we have to determine what Andy’s role is. Anderson has been amazing for Ottawa during his time with the team. But, Andy is not what he used to be. I believe that while Anderson won’t be leading a team to the Stanley Cup Finals as a starter, I think he can definitely be a very valuable, and a cheap backup goalie to the right team. He can easily play 20-30 games behind a good starter and give some great veteran presence in a locker room.

Colorado Avalanche

It’s no secret that the Avalanche are looking to move either Pavel Francouz or Philipp Grubuauer. While I don’t know who would take either goalie on with the goalie market being so flooded, if Joe Sakic is able to make a move with one of his goalies, he is going to need a new backup tendy. I think that an Anderson return to Colorado is not out of question, it’d be interesting to see him pursue a cup in Denver.

Winnipeg Jets

Connor Hellebuyck is the clear cut starter for the Jets, that is a fact. However, the backup situation is not so clear. Laurent Brossoit currently slots in as the backup, but he was not so great as a backup. The 27-year-old posted a .895 save percentage in 19 games played and his record was 6-7-1 while posting a 3.28 GAA. These numbers are not good. Sure, they have Eric Comrie in the AHL, but I think that if they haven’t brought him up to the NHL by now, they aren’t planning on doing so any time soon. I think that acquiring a veteran backup who can ease off some of the workload on their starter is an option they could explore.

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres are trying to do whatever they can to prove to captain Jack Eichel that they want to win. They’re proving it by bringing in Taylor Hall on a one year contract. Now, they have to prove their intentions to both Eichel, AND Hall. If you look back at last season, goaltending was not Buffalo’s strong suit. While Linus Ullmark did not play so bad, posting a .915 this year, Carter Hutton hasn’t performed. If the Sabres drop Hutton for this last year of his contract, they have a spot for a backup. Andy could help mentor Ullmark while also taking some starts here and there. If Anderson performs, he could possibly even help the Sabres squeeze into the playoffs!

Closing thoughts

While this article includes a lot of wishful thinking, I want to see Craig Anderson play for another NHL team in pursuit of a Stanley Cup. Out of all the teams I mentioned, I’d pick Andy going to Colorado. It gives him the best chance at a Stanley Cup. It would also be interesting to seeing a Craig Anderson reunion in Colorado.

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