Silver Nuggets: Trading Craig Anderson, Acquiring Dustin Penner

The notion of trading Ottawa's #1 goalie was brought up in the local media recently and since then has been discussed by various bloggers and other members of the mainstream media. I will admit that I don't read certain local writers, but I think I've got the thrust of the argument: Andy had a great year so his trade value will be high and Ottawa finally has depth at the position (Robin Lehner, Ben Bishop) to cover the loss of a starting goalie.

Trading Andy right now doesn't make a lot of sense. While he had a great season and put in an even better performance in the playoffs, the trade market this offseason looks like it's going to be saturated with goalies. Many of the tenders who will be available have both more experience and more success than Anderson. Guys like Roberto Luongo and Tim Thomas (if he's available) will probably define the market. While the value of good goaltending has been highlighted by Jonathan Quick and others this postseason, it's hard to believe Ottawa would get a return for Anderson that would make up for losing him.

Trading Anderson down the line might make sense as both Lehner and Bishop mature but trading him now feels like getting ahead of the rebuild. Lehner hasn't proven to the organization that he's ready for the NHL on a consistent basis. Having to prove he can be consistent in the AHL isn't a bad thing and will help Lehner's development in the long term. Bishop has already proved he's a rock in the AHL and will now get a chance to showcase himself as the backup and push Anderson next season. With Ottawa potentially icing more youngsters next season (Jakob Silfverberg, Mika Zibanejad) and maybe losing some veterans (Daniel Alfredsson, Filip Kuba), a veteran, reliable goaltender like Anderson will prove useful as this team matures. We only need to remember the months before Andy arrived to realize how important reliable goaltending is to a young team.

Don Brennan also suggested in a post last night that the Senators should go after Dustin Penner. This is what I think: NO.

Links after the jump!

Senators Links

• Sens prospect Jakob Culek is trying to impress the organization with his performance in the QMJHL playoffs [Ken Warren]
• Profile on Senators prospect Ryan Dzingel [Eye on the Sens]
• Don Brennan makes the case for obtaining the services of Dustin Penner [Brennan]
  
• Nichols makes the case against obtaining the services of Dustin Penner [6th Sens]
  
• Peter breaks down Erik Karlsson, the top Senator in Silver Seven's Top 25 Under 25 series [Silver Seven]
  
• Senators continue to contribute at the World Championships [Ken Warren]
• In a surprising but understandable move, BSens head coach Kurt Kleinendorst steps down from his post one season removed from winning an AHL title [Ken Warren] [6th Sens] [Travis Yost]
• Sens Chirp takes readers through his journey to NYC for Game 7 against the Rangers [Sens Chirp]

Around the league

• The Rangers comeback to win in overtime, Phoenix advances to the conference finals [NHL.com]
  
• In what was probably the best day in Coyotes history, the league announced that the team maybe/possibly/potentially has a new owner. Some are not so excited about the news [Michael Grange]
• Canucks GM Mike Gillis gets a vote of confidence and an extension [Mark Spector]
• Interesting analysis on headshots and officiating from Ellen Etchingham [Score.com]
• In a move sure to rile Spezza fans, Edmonton Sun writer Terry Jones tweeted about the possibility of Team Canada GM Kevin Lowe adding players to the roster who were eliminated in round two [Jones]
• Claude Giroux did get suspended with his team heading into an elimination game [TSN.ca]
  

The Sens should...