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Around SBN: Upon Further Review: Bo Knows Longreads

Florida Panthers UFAs - Sign 'em or Burn 'em: Craig Anderson

 


Craig Anderson

#31 / Goalie / Florida Panthers

6-2

180

May 21, 1981


GPMINWLTEGAGAGAASASVSV%SO
2008 - Craig Anderson 31 1636 15 7 5 0 74 2.71 977 903 .924 3


2008-09 Cap Hit:  $550,000

 

 

PROS:

  • Prefers fast American cars (a "pro" depending on your loyalties)
  • Career highs in games played, minutes, wins, and shutouts
  • Won four straight starts in March
  • His 2.71 GAA includes (1) seven-goal, (1) six-goal, and (2) five-goal stinkers. Sparkling over a 31-game haul.
  • Ready to be a number-one in this league?

CONS:

  • Thinks he's ready to be a number-one in this league
  • The best bargain in all of goaltending won't be any longer
  • Florida has a difficult decision to make: Vokoun or Andy, since Craig has stated his desire to be a starter
  • Has a well-publicized yet serious ADD issue in the presence of Puck Bunnies  Ice Girls

 

Andy_medium

 We've been highly complimentary of Andy's efforts over the past two seasons, but this is simply too good a photo to pass up.

Poll
Undoubtedly the most complex UFA issue for the Panthers this summer, Craig wants the starter's role - and starter's money. From a purely simplistic end: What to do, what to do?
Sign Andy, trade T-Vo...opens up cap room and the Cats go with a goalie they know
41 votes
Retain T-Vo, allow Andy to walk...you don't argue with an all-world talent such as Vokoun
29 votes

70 votes | Poll has closed

Comment 3 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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Hate to be the naysayer here...

But even though Andy’s one of the three best backups in the league, he’s simply unproven as a starter. He’s been brilliant for stretches, but he’s also always been pulled in favor of Vokoun, for a reason. Switching up goaltenders at times is as much about shaking up the players in front of him as it is about the goalie. That unproven comment goes for the other two best backups (Ty Conklin and Scott Clemmensen). I expect at least one of the three to be a starter next year.

The only way I would advocate trying out Andy as the starter is if T-Vo can be packaged with the rights to Jay Bo for a top-line scorer and something else (a replacement for Jay? a prospect and a pick?). Say something like that Bo for Briere, Lupul and Van Reimsdyk deal to Philly. Straight up it’s too much salary for the Panthers, but if they take Vokoun’s salary it might work. Although I still advocate for the Panthers trying to pry Jeff Carter away from the Flyers (not happening, I know). They would need to back Andy up with an aging starter, or someone like Ty Conklin who would challenge him for the starting job. Doing otherwise would be courting disaster.

It’s all back down to Jay. What happens with Jay Bo will determine most of what they do in the off-season.

by John Beatty on May 25, 2009 10:16 PM EDT reply actions  

Andy's ADD

As far as Andy’s ADD goes are you referring only to that famous pic of him, in, catching flies as the Ice Girl skated close by? Or are you referring to something else? Just asking because I’ve been wondering if some of my observations about the guy are just my imagination or what…..,

by sydarm on Jun 1, 2009 11:04 AM EDT reply actions  

Anderson in Colorado

Anderson refused to play for Team USA in the World Championships but he did agree to play in a charity marathon tournament in Denver … he even strapped on the pads:

Craig Anderson at charity marathon event in Denver

by TheAvalancheGuild on Jun 2, 2009 7:00 PM EDT reply actions  

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