Buffalo Sabres: What can we expect from Craig Anderson re-signing?

As you know, Craig Anderson re-signed with the Buffalo Sabres on a one-year, $1.5 million deal for the 2022-23 NHL season. 

Now that the Buffalo Sabres re-signed goaltender Craig Anderson for another season, what does that mean for the goaltending situation in the Queen City? Well, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News will tell you that Anderson, at most, will start 41 of the team’s 82 games. That’s it, no more, and probably far less.

We also know that Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has yet to prove he can be the guy moving forward. While Harrington believes the Sabres will keep Luukkonen in Rochester to further hone his skills, I say that’s rather up in the air – we will see what happens in training camp before we get too far ahead of ourselves. 

What we can expect from Craig Anderson re-signing with the Buffalo Sabres

Harrington is saying to expect Anderson to realistically start between 20 and 25 games, an incoming free agent to man the net for 40-45 games, and Luukkonen for between 10 and 15. I honestly think Anderson will end up starting between 10 and 15 contests while Luukkonen and an incoming free agent battle it out for who gets 40-45 starts and who starts for 20-25 games.

My projection is that Anderson returns mainly as a mentor and an insurance policy in case  Luukkonen again struggles with injuries, or if the incoming goaltender gets hurt. Anderson wasn’t exactly durable last season and the Sabres know this, which is why I see him starting the fewest games of this budding trio.

Why so sold on Luukkonen?

In actuality, I’m not. But as you can see, I’m rather high on Luukkonen despite his injuries and inconsistencies. One reason is that he will have all of training camp and preseason to prove he belongs in the net. If he performs well, the Sabres will give him that chance, bar-none, mainly because he is a potential long-term solution.

So consider the following scenario: The Sabres sign an established yet cost-effective goaltender – perhaps Braden Holtby – who will battle it out with Luukkonen for the top spot while Anderson sits back and slides into the Number Three role.

Not that I think Harrington is wrong, but my gut feeling states that the Sabres have every intention to start Luukkonen this fall. Barring injury or a string of poor performances, of course. If that’s the case, then you will see a Braden Holtby type step in while Anderson plays backup.

In short, Anderson most likely returned as insurance policy while doubling up as mentor. Something a young player like Luukkonen cannot get enough of, considering his star-crossed career.

Article Source: Re-signing Craig Anderson doesn’t remotely mean Sabres are done looking for goaltending help by Mike Harrington.