The Ottawa Senators have secured one of their goaltending positions for the next little while, re-signing Anders Nilsson to a two-year contract. Nilsson’s deal will carry an average annual value of $2.6MM. GM Pierre Dorion released a statement on the signing:
We’re very happy to have Anders back for two more seasons. He is a competitive, talented veteran who played very well after being acquired last season. In addition, Anders is a great teammate and hard worker, which makes him an excellent fit with our growing team. This signing provides us with stability at the goaltending position, which is very important to our success as our team continues to develop.
The re-signing of Nilsson is interesting to say the least, given that the Senators are already paying Craig Anderson and Mike Condon a combined $7MM next season (with a slightly bigger combined cap hit). The team had basically parted ways with Condon during the year, burying his contract in the minor leagues, but Anderson appeared set to be the starter again in 2019-20. With Nilsson signed the question now becomes whether the team will look to move Anderson out as a rental piece, given that he is only under contract for one season.
That’s not to say that Nilsson hasn’t deserved a contract like this. After coming over from the Vancouver Canucks in a trade, the 29-year old behemoth registered a .914 save percentage in 24 games, better than any other goaltender to suit up for the Senators last season. Originally a third-round pick of the New York Islanders, Nilsson has bounced around the league over his career, playing in New York, Edmonton, St. Louis and Buffalo in addition to his two teams from last season. He’s shown flashes of brilliance during that journeyman career, but has never really staked a claim to the starting position for very long.
In Ottawa, perhaps he will get that opportunity if they decide to move Anderson this year, or move on from him next. The Senators have a few young goaltenders in Joey Daccord, Filip Gustavsson and Marcus Hogberg that will all be pushing for NHL playing time in the near future, but it’s not clear if the team wants to put them on the ice while the group in front of them are in such a drastic rebuild. Instead, they may use Nilsson as a short-term bridge while continuing to develop their young netminders in the minor leagues.
again what is wrong with this team. I like Nilsson but he’s arguably your backup. did this team not learn anything of Hammond, or Condon? Dorion makes the same boneheaded mistakes year in and year out. His only saving grace is incompetence above him in the Sens org.
That’s why it’s THE Canadian Tire Centre Tire Fire… Are they even going to make the floor this year, or do they become the first team penalized (what’s the penalty, Bettman?) for not getting to the floor? Melnyk’s probably got that “I dare ya” look going now…
Trade is brewing…
Guess this means Andy is good as gone. I kind of like this move though. Nice Swedish mentor for Hogberg or potentially Gustavsson.
They at least owe it Andy as you call him JD to trade him. The ownership, gm and most of the fans of this team are a joke. Enjoy all the mentoring with the Swedes. How many cups did that swedeheart Alfie win? It’s been proven in hockey history you win with non Swedish captains just ask don!