Craig Anderson out indefinitely with lacerated hand
by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 23, 2012 7:01 PM EST
in Ottawa Senators breaking news
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PrintWell this is a most unfortunate turn of events.
Reports suggest that Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson injured himself after last night's 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals by cutting his hand while preparing a meal or something similarly ridiculous. For now he's out indefinitely, but Bruce Garrioch is reporting he'll be out at least ten days--and maybe more.
Anderson's been he go-to guy for the Sens so far this season, having appeared in 56 of the team's 61 games and putting up a 29-19-6 record with a 2.85 GAA and a .913 SP. If the timeline for this injury is longer than a week or two, there will be a lot of uncertainty in Senators land.
First up after Anderson is Alex Auld, who's been better of late but has awful numbers so far this season: 2-3-2 record, 3.28 GAA, .883 SP. An optimist will look at his good numbers during the 2008-09 season with Ottawa (2.47 GAA, .911 SP), but a cynic will wonder whether or not Auld's best days are behind him.
The other immediate option, should the need arise, is to recall Robin Lehner (expect that call-up to happen his evening or early tomorrow) and thrust the young Swede into the starting role. Lehner's numbers this season have been abysmal (8-16-1 record, 3.38 GAA, .905 SP) with the Binghamton Senators, and he's been bumped from the starting position by journeyman Mike McKenna. Lehner's said in the past that he finds playing in the NHL easier than the AHL due to the increased structure and support from teammates, but he's still very young and very inexperienced to be guiding an NHL squad through the stretch and, potentially, into the playoffs.
Finally, there is one more option: A trade before Monday's trade deadline. There are goaltenders available out there (Chris Mason, Curtis Sanford, Antero Niittymaki, Evgeni Nabokov, potentially some bigger names), but the Senators aren't likely interested in making a big splash if they do trade for a 'tender--instead, given recent comments from Bryan Murray and Eugene Melnyk about staying the course on the rebuild, they'd be looking for a cheap and short-term option. If one exists.
Much remains to be seen about the extent of the injury and what will be done in Anderson's absence, but this just threw a wrench in the Senators' plans.
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Until it's definitively ruled out, I'm going to assume Robin Lehner was somehow involved...
Shawn McEachern: The best Senator to ever wear 15.
Zack Smith: The future best Senator to ever wear 15.
by Speedy_McEachern on Feb 23, 2012 7:07 PM EST reply actions
I am so freaked out by this, but also excited for Lehner. This seems like the type of situation he thrives on… and then there is this. :)
Oh no...
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by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 23, 2012 7:32 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah. I can tell you this: He was *not* at the autograph signing. :(
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
"Oh wow, Anderson signed autographs with a red sharpie!"
“No, that’s his blood”
When I found out all I could think of was Turkish from Snatch saying "Now, we are f*cked."
http://youtu.be/1aoPYFD9Eno?t=1m21s
Do not watch that video if you are easily offended.
Do watch that video if you are mad at frozen chickens everywhere.
The Lehner
Imagine this:
You are the goalie of the future and win the Calder Cup MVP last year after a grueling long season.
Then you find out you are going back to the AHL and proceed to get peppered every night as your team is outshot on a regular basis and you are a bit hungover from being a champion and bummed out from not making the NHL team and seeing your fellow Calder Cup champions up in the NHL thriving – Smith, Daugavins, Condra, O’Brien, etc. Not a good excuse for the AHL record this year but that’s what comes with youth and inexperience.
Then you get called up in the most important stretch of the regular season.
How is he not going to shine? His past performance in these situations have been championship worthy.
I say go with Lehner all the way to the Stanley CUP
AGREED!!!!
and I think he will do well
by SensSational19 on Feb 23, 2012 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
Either he'll shine
Or he’ll get a rude awakening. I’m not convinced by Lehner’s play yet. We’ll see.
Either he will shine, or he will not.
Haha, way to go out on a limb mate. ;)
I love soft players (especially Europeans) that play on the perimeter. Enigmas are awesome. Grit and heart-and-soul are red flags.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
I'm diplomatic.
But if you want my honest opinion? Lehner hasn’t shown he can carry the weight at the NHL level and I think this will put us on the outside looking in in April. I’m hoping to be surprised, but I’m anticipating some sub-500 hockey until Anderson comes back.
10-14 days is 5-7 games
I don’t think 5-7 games with Lehner is going to doom the season. Plus, we don’t even need to go .500 for a playoff spot.
Very good chance at a playoff spot even if we go two games under .500. Sports Club Stats gives us an 80% chance to make it if we finish 7-9-4.
I love soft players (especially Europeans) that play on the perimeter. Enigmas are awesome. Grit and heart-and-soul are red flags.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
Let's look at this....
In the next 10 days we’ve got:
Boston
NYI
Boston
Chicago
Florida
Then extending to 14:
Tampa
NYR
Let’s face it…. Boston games were PROBABLY losses anyways. We’re 0-3 against them this season, and Thomas has his Sens killer badge pinned on.
We pretty much dominated NYI and Florida last week, to the point where LeClaire could have won those games… without getting injured in them!
Likely still be able to split Tampa/NYR.
That pretty much leaves Chicago. I’m not sure how that one will play out.
correct me if i'm wrong
but we took Boston to OT in our last outing. Boston has been surprisingly human of late as well. It’s unfortunate to lose Andy now because a few good turn-outs with him in net should have us steal a game from Boston.
it sucks to lose him but we’ll really have to show what we’re made of to pull this out. I want Lehner up and would like to see him get at least 2 starts.
You're wrong
We lost in regulation, all 3 games.
We did actually play well against them last time, but in general Boston seems to have our number.
I suppose we should be grateful he didn't pull a Toews and go crashing into a highway pillar.
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
It is my professional opinion that now is a good time to PANIC!!
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
by Nightbreak on Feb 23, 2012 8:18 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Well guys with 10 games out of Andy’s hands , it leaves , Lehner and Auld the biggest opportunity they’ll get this season , I believe they’ll do well , As of now the Leafs are down 2-0 , and hopefully the Lightning can pull of a win against the Jet and we got a reasonable lead on our competitors , to summarize :
: Lehner and Auld will get a couple of win(s) or point(s).
: We have built up a lead on slugging teams
God bless , and hopefully we hold on ;)
Warning! PANIC! Warning! PANIC! Warning! PANIC!
No, not really, but I am sitting with my buddy yesterday at the game and I am telling him, that in my humble opinion, our MVP is Anderson – to which he laughs and calls me ridiculous, but here is my take:
Anderson is so much better than Auld, and there is a reason he started all those games. If Andy goes down like Hasek did on us, we do not have anyone to replace him.
I am not saying that Karlsson and Spezza can be easily replaced, I think it is a case of a 3 headed dragon really, but Andy for sure has to be considered as valuable to the team as Karlsson and Spezza.
It is only 10 days, 2 weeks max, so 6 to 8 games really, nothing is lost, the team only will gel so much more… or not…
I know that, that doesn't matter, I know you Mr. Rainey, that's what matters. You stole my story.
Personally, I agree with your buddy. ;)
I love soft players (especially Europeans) that play on the perimeter. Enigmas are awesome. Grit and heart-and-soul are red flags.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
Yeah, Emery was great
But imagine the finals if we had Hasek… at least I can dream…
I would not trust Auld to step up like Emery did, but Lehner can step in and have couple quality games.
I was looking forward to those 2 Bruins games ahead of us, but not so much anymore.
I know that, that doesn't matter, I know you Mr. Rainey, that's what matters. You stole my story.
Emery didn't play well in '05-06
It was Ottawa’s offense that maintained the pace.
by TheGuineaPig on Feb 24, 2012 10:50 AM EST up reply actions
I absolutely loved Lehner’s reponse to this, not officially called up, but he just tweets: ;)
I think he will do decently and don’t think he will get lit up. Once Anderson is back, maybe Lehner will stay as backup with Binghamton’s season doomed.
I love soft players (especially Europeans) that play on the perimeter. Enigmas are awesome. Grit and heart-and-soul are red flags.
Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan
I hope Lehner gets the action
Worth seeing what he can do and, seriously, expectations can’t be high. I’d be upset if they traded for someone.
You've just proven comment advertising works - Rent This Space
Remember people, we play Islanders, Tampa and Florida again.
Its the other two teams we have to worry about
(I’m going to keep posting this in every thread…)
by spez_dispenser on Feb 24, 2012 12:22 AM EST up reply actions
You think we should just find a law student?
He was once called the worst participant Cirque du Soleil ever had.
by RogerTheShrubber on Feb 24, 2012 8:46 AM EST up reply actions
What's the one word you have for Ken Dryden?
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by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 24, 2012 8:58 AM EST up reply actions
smartypants?
Say Hi to New England, the organization that will outplan, outthink, and outlast your team's organization.
I think a trade would be a panic move
Anderson will be back in two weeks (admittedly this is going with Bruce Garrioch’s information, which may or may not be accurate). The team shouldn’t waste a pick – any pick – on a guy who’ll play fewer than seven games.
While we commiserate about Anderson, here's some good news!
The Leafs lost in regulation, and the Jets are up 4-0 over the Lightning halfway through the third period. Which means that in about ten minutes (game time), there’s gonna be a switcheroo of which team has eighth place.
by JonathanA on Feb 23, 2012 10:40 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Yeah, it was a pretty good night around the league for the Sens
Philly lost, and Florida lost in OT.
Technically, purely standings wise, we would have been better off with a Tampa win over the Jets though.
OH MAN THAT'S SO AWESOME
I hope it stays like this. Leafs fans were so cocky heading into this season.
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by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 24, 2012 8:59 AM EST up reply actions
Apparently Anderson *really* hates signing autographs and attempted to cut his own hand off.
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
Good lord this is terrifying.
But I’m oddly excited…Lehner’s got his shot now. I was there for his game against the Leafs and he made some sick saves to help us get the win. He’ll be out there without a safety net, behind a team significantly better and more confident than last year’s with a Calder Cup MVP feather in his cap. Sure, he could crash and burn but the elements for a breakout are there.
And c’mon, Auld has won his last two starts…and he only got pulled in one of them :p Plus, it certainly won’t be the first time he’s been platooned with a rookie while playing for the Sens.
Scholar, Gentleman, Shameless Sens Homer with a Heart of Gold.
by Johnny_Spectacular on Feb 23, 2012 11:26 PM EST reply actions
Auld split his last 2 starts
Won against Nashville, got yanked against Calgary.
I was under the impression that he technically got the win for that
Or, in the case of a comeback like that, does it just go to the goalie in net at the end of the game?
Scholar, Gentleman, Shameless Sens Homer with a Heart of Gold.
by Johnny_Spectacular on Feb 24, 2012 1:23 AM EST up reply actions
FUCK.
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by Mark Parisi on Feb 23, 2012 11:27 PM EST reply actions 6 recs
Rec'd
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
Maybe we'll sink to eighth, and end up playing the Rangers instead of Boston.
I know which I’d prefer! There are worse times that this could have happened. Plus, although having surgery isn’t exactly the same as having some proper R&R, who knows, maybe it will benefit Anderson in the long run when he comes back hungry and fresh for the playoffs.
When Lehner came in to start against Toronto earlier in the season I was worried, but that turned out well, so who knows. As long as he doesn’t fight any more refs I think it’ll work out well and be some much needed experience for him and Auld.
Still sucks though. I hope Anderson quits trying to impress his dinner guests
i think ando did it on purpose
he knows how well i’m doing in the SSS fantasy league and doesn’t want me to win. i’ll show him… go sanford! wait, what?
Biggest fear
My biggest fear realized… that Anderson goes down. Now we’ll see if we can survive with little depth in the nets.
Niitymaki or Conklin… here we come.
Saturday night IR
Regin (shoulder)
Winchester (concussion)
Anderson (ham sandwich)
He was once called the worst participant Cirque du Soleil ever had.
by RogerTheShrubber on Feb 24, 2012 8:50 AM EST reply actions 5 recs
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=388672
Last month, L.A. Kings forward Dustin Penner sat out a game after suffering back spasms while eating pancakes.
geeez
He shouldn't have ordered the short stack, obviously
A Goal Horn Haiku
Hoooonk hoooonk honk honk hooooonk
That's the sound the train horn makes
Suck it, Toronto
someone send these to Andy
can’t go wrong with plastic knives…hopefully.
I'm not willing to take that risk.
For $4.2 million a year, the guy can hire someone to cut his sammiches for him.
goalie
this is really a shame-Ott has been playing some of its best hockey in years, on a roll and the goalie is a big reason why…The problem is the backup is atrocious. Maybe andy can us this as a rest to gear up for playoff run but maybe he comes back and struggles to regain form…..I would think it will be Lehner sooner than later bc again Auld has been so bad-i went to my one and only ott game ever (live in Boston) over xmas and they played Calgary. Auld let in 3 first period goals and one was from the red line I think…HE IS BAD. Hopefully Lehner grabs this shot and runs with it and then you guys can dump Auld in Bingo and start grooming Lehner..IMO
At first i was reading your post and though:
“what the hell does Steve Ott have anything to do with this…?”
So apparently it isn't as bad as reported in the Sun - Surprise surprise
No timeline yet, but not as bad as first feared.
I wouldn’t be opposed to picking up Nitty if he goes on Re-entry as it is reported the Sharks are calling around to see if anyone is interested if they do call him up. Seems like cheap insurance.
However, I think Lehner should be given his shot. Throw him in against the B’s tomorrow and see what happens. If he lets in 3 or more, come back w/ Auld on Sunday vs the Isles. If that doesn’t work, grab Nitty off re-entry waviers and then platoon them till someone wins a game. Before you know if Andy will be back. .500 should get us into the playoffs, so it isn’t as bad as it could have been.
As they were saying on TGOR this morning, Anderson hasn’t been great for most of the season, he’s been good. All we need is someone to allow 3 or less/game and a .500 record should be doable.
Common sense is the most evenly distributed quality in all the world.
Everyone thinks they have enough.
"hasn't been great most of the season"
that’s misleading – he didn’t start out great but has hit his stride since December and has been great since then. A season average doesn’t tell the tale. I know, i have him in a Fantasy Pool and i can tell you he’s been gold for me since December…
But up till December...
He wasn’t playing well & the team still went on an unexpected tear. During that stretch they played themselves into a playoff position despite less than average goaltending.
That was kind of my point. They haven’t needed a goalie playing lights out to win – for parts of the season. Therefore, a 3.00 GAA from Auld/Lehner should be enough to keep team in playoff position.
Common sense is the most evenly distributed quality in all the world.
Everyone thinks they have enough.
fair enough
we’ve gotten into our fair share of shoot-outs but in a number of these cases Anderson was able to hold down a period until the team got it’s game back. He may not be a stats master but he’s been ‘dependable’ in contributing to winning games. anyway, i think there are a number of scenarios where we stay in a playoff position.
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