Edmonton Oilers sign veteran goaltender Frederik Andersen to one-year deal
Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Frederik Andersen has joined the Edmonton Oilers on a one-year contract following a highly successful five-season spell with the Carolina Hurricanes.
The 36-year-old moves to Alberta on an incentive-laden deal worth $2.75m.
His contract carries a base salary cap hit of just $1m, with the remaining $1.8m tied to performance bonuses based on regular-season appearances and playoff success.
Oilers seek stability between the pipes
The Danish international arrives as the latest solution to Edmonton’s ongoing goaltending dilemmas.
He joins a crowded crease alongside Tristan Jarry and newly acquired 24-year-old Devon Levi.
Jarry struggled heavily after arriving from the Pittsburgh Penguins last season, posting a disappointing .857 save percentage across 19 regular-season appearances.
Moving to the Oilers offers the veteran shot-stopper a chance to reunite with familiar faces from his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He will play alongside former team-mate Zach Hyman, while head coach Mike Babcock and assistant D.J. Smith previously managed him during their tenure in Ontario.
Triumph and tragedy in Carolina
The former Anaheim Ducks draftee departs Carolina fresh off a historic playoff run that culminated in the franchise’s first Stanley Cup since 2006.
He anchored the Hurricanes’ progression to the final by going 12-1 across three Eastern Conference series, recording eight consecutive victories.
However, a knee injury forced him to hand the starting net to Brandon Bussi for the championship series against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The post-season triumph was emotionally charged for the Herning native following the tragic death of his long-time agent, four-time Stanley Cup winner Claude Lemieux.
“He would be so proud,” the goaltender told Sportsnet after securing the championship.
“It’s tough to really describe how much he has meant to me, and how cool it is to have my name on that trophy with him.”
Regular-season adjustments
Prior to his stellar playoff performances, the Olympic athlete experienced an inconsistent regular campaign.
Operating within a shared rotation system under head coach Rod Brind’Amour, he finished with a 16-14-5 record and a 3.05 goals-against average.
The experienced netminder will now look to establish himself as the undisputed first choice in Edmonton as they pursue their own championship ambitions.