Weekly Question: The Real Deal?
This week's Weekly Question asked what more Andrew Hammond needs to do to prove himself at the NHL level.
Andrew Hammond's improbable start to his NHL career has taken Sens fans by storm and catapulted Ottawa back into the playoff race. He's 9-0-1 in his first 10 NHL starts and has created something of a controversy by forcing the now-healthy Craig Anderson to remain on the bench.
Today's Weekly Question asks: What does Andrew Hammond have to do to prove he's a legitimate NHL starter?
Nothing
Hammonds incredible run should be enough to silence any critics. He is yet to lose a game in regulation and his 95.4 SV % is more than enough to conclude that he's here to stay at the NHL level.
Get the Senators into the Playoffs
Things have been great, but at this point it's just a streak, and goalies sometimes get white hot. If Hammond can carry the Senators into the playoffs, he'll have gone on an amazing run over the last quarter of the season - a much bigger sample size to evaluate him.
Be on an NHL roster on Opening Night 2015
It's been a nice run, but at this point Hammond is still a rookie with dreadful AHL numbers and a lack of success at lower levels. As we've seen at times this season, the Senators are willing to roll with a 1a/1b situation in goal. To prove himself, Hammond needs to start next season in the NHL.
Permanently displace a starter
The only way to really prove you're a legitimate NHL starter is to permanently displace an established one. If Hammond can take the bulk of starts away from a guy like Craig Anderson or other proven NHL starter, he'll have really arrived.
What does Andrew Hammond have to do to prove he’s a legitimate NHL starter?
| Nothing | 53 |
| Get the Senators into the Playoffs | 171 |
| Be on an NHL roster on Opening Night 2015 | 123 |
| Permanently displace a starter | 129 |
| Other | 25 |