Frederik Andersen, the veteran goaltender who won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes last month, has signed a one-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers, hoping to be the final piece that pushes the team over the championship threshold. The deal includes a base salary of $1 million, with potential bonuses up to $2.8 million based on games played and team playoff success.
Andersen's Dominance Against the Oilers
Andersen has historically performed exceptionally well against Edmonton, posting a 19-3-3 record with a .920 save percentage. However, now that he is wearing the Oilers jersey, he acknowledges the shift in perspective. “They’ve (Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl) made me and others look silly in games,” Andersen said on a video call from his home in Denmark. “And now it’ll just be in practices. Cool to see them up close and see how they operate, those elite players.”
Reuniting with Mike Babcock and Zach Hyman
Andersen’s decision to sign with Edmonton was influenced by his past relationships with head coach Mike Babcock and forward Zach Hyman, both of whom he worked with during his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Babcock was Andersen’s coach from 2016 to 2019, and the goalie credits him with helping him through early struggles. “My experience with Mike was good… as a goalie you don’t always deal with the head coach much, he leaves you alone with the goalie coach,” Andersen explained. “But he was a great x’s and o’s guy, who got a lot of our group in Toronto. We were a very young group then.”
Overcoming Early Challenges in Toronto
When Andersen signed a five-year deal with Toronto in 2016, he had only 125 NHL games under his belt with the Anaheim Ducks. He faced early difficulties, including a game where he allowed seven goals against Tampa Bay. According to The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel, Babcock advised Andersen to take his mind off hockey by watching Netflix, leading him to become a fan of the legal drama Suits. The psychological reset worked, and Babcock even visited Andersen and his parents in Denmark in the summer of 2018 to reinforce trust after a playoff exit.
A Key Addition to the Oilers' Goaltending Corps
Andersen brings extensive experience, with 552 regular-season games and 101 playoff appearances. He joins a potential three-goalie rotation alongside Tristan Jarry and Devon Levi. The Oilers, who have come close to the Stanley Cup in recent years, view Andersen as a veteran presence who can help them finally break through. “The Oilers have been close and obviously it would be great if they got over the hump. They’re very serious about it,” Andersen said, expressing his enthusiasm for the opportunity.
Stanley Cup Victory and Injury
Andersen was instrumental in Carolina’s run to the Stanley Cup Final against Vegas, but he suffered a knee injury late in the playoffs, allowing rookie Brandon Bussi to take over. Despite the injury, Andersen was the second player to receive the Cup from captain Jordan Staal during the victory parade, a testament to his contributions throughout the season.
