Buffalo Sabres sign goaltender Craig Anderson to a one-year deal

Igor Burdetskiy July 28, 2021

2 2 minutes read

Buffalo Sabres have signed goaltender Craig Anderson to a one-year deal worth $750,000.

Since arriving in Ottawa in February 2011 from the Colorado Avalanche, Anderson has established himself as the Senators’ go-to guy; their goaltender of record.

In 10 seasons in Ottawa, Anderson is 202-168-46. He is the Senators’ all-time leader for goalies in games (435), starts (422), wins (202) and save percentage (.914) and is second in shutouts with 28, two behind Patrick Lalime.

Through the rest of that first season in Ottawa, the product of Park Ridge, Ill., posted an 11-5-1 record with a 2.05 goals-against average and shimmering .939 save percentage.

Other than a brief time in 2015, when back-up Andrew Hammond played spectacularly well, Anderson is the man the Senators invariably turn to.

Originally the property of the Calgary Flames, who drafted him in the third round (No. 77) in the 1999 NHL Draft, Anderson failed to reach contract terms with the club and re-entered the draft two years later.

In the interim, playing for Guelph of the Ontario Hockey League, Anderson won the Goaltender of the Year Award in 2000-01 when he had a 30-19-9 record and a 2.63 goals-against average. The Chicago Blackhawks then selected Anderson in the third round (No. 73) in the 2001 NHL Draft.

Anderson’s four seasons as part of the Blackhawks organization were spent mainly with Norfolk of the American Hockey League, although he played a combined 56 games for Chicago from 2002-06.

Traded to the Florida Panthers on June 25, 2006, Anderson spent most of his time vying for playing time with Tomas Vokoun. On March 2, 2008, Anderson set a then-NHL record for saves in a shutout, 53, in a 1-0 victory against the New York Islanders. Two nights later, he stopped 40 shots in a 1-0 victory against the Boston Bruins, giving him 93 saves over consecutive shutouts.

A free agent following the 2009 season, Anderson signed with the Avalanche, and in his first season won 38 games and led the League in saves (2,047) and shots against (2,233) as the Avalanche qualified for the playoffs. Colorado would be eliminated in the first round in six games by the San Jose Sharks, but that series included a 51-save Anderson shutout in Game 3.

Anderson’s second season (2010-11) started poorly and he was traded to the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 18, 2011. He signed a three-year contract prior to the 2014-15 season.

In 2016-17, Anderson went 25-11-4 with a 2.28 goals-against-average, taking the Senators to the Eastern Conference Final. He played 40 games, taking several leaves of absence during the season to be with his wife, Nicholle, who was undergoing treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a rare form of throat cancer. Anderson was awarded the Masterton Trophy, given to the player who exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

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Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine

I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!