The Carolina Hurricanes were one of the busiest teams at this year’s NHL trade deadline. While all eyes were on them making notable moves to add to their offensive firepower up front, they actually had another addition around the same time that was not via trade. This was the return of Frederik Andersen from what seemed like could have been a season-ending blood clotting injury.
Frederik Andersen‘s Return
While goal scoring was, and has been, a need for Carolina, their goaltending seemed suspect as well based on early season results. Andersen’s return seemed like a potential saviour, but questions remained if he would be ready for NHL speed after missing so much time.
The Early Results Speak for Themselves
Well, Andersen has seemed to have quieted any doubters so far in his return. His first game back since November 2, 2023, came against the Montreal Canadiens on March 7, 2024. He made 24 saves on 25 shots to give Carolina the win. He had a .960 SV% in that one. The cool, calm and collected Andersen looked like he hadn’t missed any time.
In his next three games, Andersen maintained his form. While there were a few misses here and there, Andersen looked like the goalie that Carolina wants and needs. Over his four-game span, Andersen has won every game, never allowing more than two goals. None was more impressive than his shutout over the Florida Panthers. He had a .949 SV% with a 1.26 GAA over that stretch. He also had a 1.18 goals saved above average. Notably, he saved every high-danger chance he faced over his four-game span. So, while the team has been playing well as a whole since his return, he has been there to shut the door when something leaks through. These numbers bring his season totals to a .917 SV%, 2.17 GAA and 3.35 goals saved above average.
All of this is a good sign for Carolina moving forward into the playoffs. It is also noteworthy to point out that he seems to be mentally positive as well. Coming back from such a health scare could affect people in many different ways. But Andersen is not only showing on the ice that he is ready to play, he has expressed how positive it has been for him to come back. And this is just as important moving forward where so much of goaltending is a mental game.
“I’m just having fun. I don’t show it too much, but I’m loving it out there. It’s really fun being in this room again with everyone.”
Frederik Andersen, after earning a shutout in just his third game back with the team. pic.twitter.com/L1RilJIus6
— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) March 15, 2024
More of the Same is A Good Thing
While the future is never certain, Andersen is showing that he is ready to compete. The time off may have actually provided him with some rest to be ready for the playoffs as well. Last year, he put up a .927 SV% with a 1.83 GAA in nine playoff games. He went toe to toe with Sergei Bobrovsky who had an amazing performance against Carolina. Based on his current performance and the solid play we saw in the playoffs last year, Andersen is showing he is where he needs to be.
If Andersen can replicate his performance from last season’s playoffs, Carolina has a very solid chance of going far this year. Last year they marched into the playoffs without Andrei Svechnikov, and for that matter without Jake Guentzel or Evgeny Kuznetsov who have been paying dividends. Everyone would love to see Andersen or Kochetkov turn into 2006 Cam Ward but they might not necessarily have to win every game for the team. The team is deep this year. With his experience and ability, if Andersen is going to be pegged as the starter in the playoffs, another solid performance like last year could be enough to carry the load. So far he is showing that that reality is a very real possibility.
Three’s Company (and Maybe More)
So while there were a lot of early thoughts that Carolina needed to trade for a solid goaltender, Andersen’s return to form has come at the perfect time. This, combined with Pyotr Kochetkov‘s improved consistent play, has provided Carolina with the goaltending stability they need going into the playoffs without making a trade. This also allowed management to utilize assets and focus to bring in help up front.
Even Spencer Martin‘s solid play has provided Carolina with a very dependable third option. Martin seems to be the perfect guy to play in that true backup role. A guy who can sit out for extended periods and then step in to take a start or two when needed.
And then, if they get this far down, even Antti Raanta, who is currently in the AHL, picked his play up right before Andersen returned. Unfortunately, he is not the guy he was a year or two ago but as a fourth option, this is not a bad guy to have.
But Andersen’s return has arguably been the most important factor that changed the landscape of Carolina’s goaltending from earlier this season to now. It is also arguably just as if not more important to the team as picking up Guentzel and Kuznetsov considering that goaltending is the single most important position.
Kochetkov is also playing very well but is less experienced and it is probably questionable whether Martin could actually be a number one guy. But Frederik Andersen can be Carolina’s guy this year and his return is showing it. You combine that with a very strong Kochetkov, and great backup in Martin and a depth fill-in of Raanta, and Carolina’s goaltending looks pretty strong.
Main Photo Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
