Although Craig Anderson won’t be returning to the Senators next season, he isn’t planning on calling it a career just yet. He told Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch that he still has some goals that he wants to achieve and that he won’t be overly picky about where he lands. While it’s unlikely that the 39-year-old will have a significant market, there should be some interest from teams that are looking for a veteran second netminder. Before this season, he had made at least 40 appearances in four straight years and with an expectation that 2020-21 will be more compact than normal, having a backup that’s capable of handling more than a typical number two workload will be more important than usual. Anderson posted a 3.25 GAA along with a .902 SV% in 34 games with Ottawa this season.
Elsewhere around the Atlantic Division:
- Still with the Senators, the team is in discussions with pending unrestricted free agents Ron Hainsey, Matthew Peca, and Scott Sabourin on new deals, Garrioch reports in a separate column. Hainsey logged over 20 minutes a night on Ottawa’s back end this season and would give them a bit of stability on a relatively young back end but would likely need to come cheaper than the $3.5MM he made this season to stick around. Peca was acquired at the deadline from Montreal while Sabourin was converted to an NHL deal just before the season started and both would likely be vying for a depth role if they re-sign.
- Steven Stamkos once again won’t be available for the Lightning as they look to wrap up the Stanley Cup tonight against Dallas, head coach Jon Cooper told reporters including Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston (Twitter link). The captain has been limited to just one game and 2:47 of playing time this postseason although he did score an important goal in Game Three of this series in that lone appearance.
- Canadiens winger Dale Weise will not be re-signing with Montreal and will instead hit the open market, notes Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports (Twitter link). The 32-year-old spent most of the season in the minors but was recalled down the stretch while also seeing action in five playoff games while being held off the scoresheet. Lavoie adds that Weise’s intentions are to try to land an NHL deal and that he isn’t pursuing opportunities overseas.
Omg I understand why they got rid of Ryan it did make sense from both a financial and roster standpoint, but to move him out and then to just use his spot on one of those UFA’s is ridiculous. Why not just bring back a fan favourite like Boro instead?
@JDGoat – Easy there, Big Fella! You know how Melnyk views that “common sense” stuff being thrown at him! :)
Relax JD. this team still needs to spend $20 million+ to reach the cap floor. I don’t think those three are going to break the bank. if you asset every RFA is brought back at an avg of 2 mill per and every Ufa at 2 mill per, they are only 2 million over the floor. and that’s a big assumption that the avg of all of those guys will be 2 mill. factoring in Duclair will get a bump, Connor Brown and Hainsey are likely the only ones even around the 2m mark.
There’s so many better ways to do that though. They should be on the phone with every team in the league looking to bring in their bad contracts with assets. They can bring in guys with experience who can help lead the kids while being able to take on their salaries. I think guys like Hainsey and Sabourin have no use to this team moving forward. The only thing they’re doing is taking roster spots away young guys who need to prove themselves.
They’re finally moving on from that trash logo after all these years, so just be happy with one step in the right direction at a time. After all, it’s still Uncle Eugene at the helm…
What’s wrong with your old creepy racist uncle?