Will Craig Anderson return to the Buffalo Sabres in 2023-24?
By Sion Fawkes
Craig Anderson is the oldest player on the NHL’s youngest team, and there could be a chance he returns to the Buffalo Sabres for yet another season.
If you asked me just one month ago whether Craig Anderson would re-sign with the Buffalo Sabres for 2023-24, I’d have given you a strange look and walked away. Why would you re-sign an aging player who only sees ice time once a week?
The very thought made absolutely no sense. Unless, of course, you acquired a goaltender who has shown themselves capable of not only starting multiple games in a row, but also back-to-back games.
Enter Devon Levi, who ever since he signed with the Sabres, has done all of this in just six starts. Obviously, there are no guarantees regarding Levi, as is the case with almost any player, but just about everything points to the fact he will be the Blue and Gold’s top guy in the net in 2023-24.
Not only that, but it’s likely he will start a lot of games (45-plus) for the Sabres. That leaves Anderson, who could very well enjoy the easiest season of his career spot starting and most importantly acting as a mentor for Levi.
Could we see Craig Anderson back wtih the Buffalo Sabres?
In my eyes, Eric Comrie is done in the Queen City, and it’s been that way for a while. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the wild card, and if I had it my way, I’d say Levi would be your starter, and Luukkonen steps in as the 1B, or at worst, a traditional backup.
But if the Sabres felt differently about Luukkonen, Levi wouldn’t have been starting a plethora of games so early in his career. So at this point, we need to ask ourselves if Luukkonen is even part of the plan going forward. Right now, he’s fringe, in my opinion.
Of course, general manager Kevyn Adams could always look to bring in another goaltender if he’s not thinking highly of Comrie and Luukkonen, and if he wants someone younger than Anderson to back up Levi. But then again, Anderson’s expertise and experience could win him the backup gig.
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I’m still not convinced Anderson is coming back at age 42, but unlike a month ago, I’m also not ruling it out. It’s going to be interesting to see this saga unfold a couple of months from today.
Source: Sabres’ Craig Anderson undecided about future but at peace in final days of 20th season by Lance Lysowski