Today we look at one of the masked men, the veteran of the crease, Craig Anderson.
PRE-SEASON EXPECTATION
Anderson signed a 3 year contract extension heading into the season, and at least for the time being it was expected that he would continue his role as the starter, but with Robin Lehner taking gradually more time and pushing the vet for playing time.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED
Lehner faltered in his opportunities, and Anderson maintained a stranglehold on the position. Despite the struggles of the team in front of him, Anderson maintained a more than respectable save%, but his GAA was sub-par. And as well as he played, he had a penchant for allowing the wrong goal at the wrong time, either letting the game get out of hand or allowing a team back in the game. The result was a pedestrian 14-13-8 record, posted mostly through the early turmoil of the season that saw a coaching change.
Anderson, as is customary of late, got injured in late January, handing the reins to Lehner, and eventually Andrew Hammond. By the time he was finally ready to return, Hammond was in the midst of a run for the ages. Anderson got his opportunity following Hammond's first loss, but nearly blew a 4 goal third period lead (winning in a shootout) before losing to Boston in what was at the time as close to a must-win game as the Senators had played in some time.
He got back in for another two game stint after Hammond was run over by Logan Couture and had to be replaced in the following game by Chris Driedger. Anderson suffered an extra-time loss to the Leafs and then lost to the Panthers, and Hammond was given the net back to complete the run to the playoffs.
Just when it looked like the season was over for Anderson and the rookie was going to run the table, Hammond allowed a couple of questionable goals in game 2 against Montreal, forcing Dave Cameron to look in Anderson's direction for game 3. Anderson played 4 outstanding games against the Habs, but came up on the short end of 2 of them, including a questionable OT goal in game 3 by Dale Weise that went right through him. He allowed just 4 goals in 4+ games, but the Senators still bowed out in 6.
THE HARD STATS
THE FANCY STATS
A little bit of a departure from the normal format for the goaltenders. Here is how Anderson stacked up against most of the league's starters and top end goalies:
The big thing standing out is the lack of games played, due to injury and Andrew Hammond, when compared to other #1's. Carey Price was in his own straosphere, but Anderson, even with the lack of minutes of the others, is in the second tier.
THE "KEY" STATS
The fact that his SP was 7th among qualified goalies yet his GAA had him ranked 26th is an interesting stat, and you have to put a lot of the blame on the way the team played in front of him and the number of shots the team allowed early on in the season before the coaching change was made.
Anderson allowed 3 or more goals 21 times in 35 games.
FUTURE OUTLOOK
The Senators crease is certainly a crowded place that will need some sorting out. The question is whether or not Hammond re-signs, and what the Senators plans are. If they really want to make an impact by adding and upgrading elsewhere in the lineup, then Anderson would probably fetch the highest return.
It would have been very interesting to see what would have happened if Anderson had won that Boston game and kept the starting job. The team played differently once Cameron got his system installed, and shortly after that Anderson left the lineup with his hand injury.
Anderson seems to be great at giving his team a chance to win, but then surrendering a backbreaking goal. And the more he plays, the more average his numbers become. As you can see from the following chart, "Beastmode" is activated in short spurts, but when he is in for the long haul his save percentage tends to even out, perhaps a little more than most elite goalies. (Anderson's last 9 seasons)
It seems that the higher the workload over the long haul, the more inconsistent he becomes. The Senators will have to weigh that against what they think Lehner, and if he signs, Hammond will be, and also how long recent signee Matt O'Connor will take to develop.
That is essentially a long way of saying I don't know what the future holds for Anderson. He will play, whether in Ottawa or elsewhere, but what his overall impact will be is still in question. Health is another issue because he has missed significant time in each of the last 3 seasons, and doesn't seem to be the quickest of healers. At 33, he is closer to the end of his prime than the beginning for most goalies.
I would be satisfied if he stays in Ottawa, but I also wouldn't be completely upset if he were dealt to bring in other assets, as long as they don't give him away.
I think he is the best option (for the here and now), but I am not sure if he is consistent enough to carry a team deep into the playoffs. At his peak there is almost no-one better, but when he is not in "Beastmode" he is decidedly average.
GRADE: Essentially, you need your goalie to bail your team out when they make mistakes. As often as possible. And although Anderson was called upon to do that a lot early in the season, there were still a lot of instances that I found myself shaking my head in disbelief at some of the goals that went in. I am of the opinion that making 40 saves is great and all, but if that 41st shot is a weak one that goes in and decides or changes the game, then the rest is all for naught. Perhaps that is a bit critical, but that is how I feel, and for those reasons Anderson gets a B.
Taking a break for the long weekend, unless something breaking happens, so enjoy yourselves. Tuesday's report card will feature another Ottawa born blueliner. That cuts the possibilities down to 2 so I won't narrow it down any more.
If you missed them, check out prior Report Cards: