Tribute Craig Anderson Appreciation Thread

[NyQuil]

With the news that Craig will not be returning to the Senators, I for one am extremely appreciative of his contributions over his tenure here and think he deserves some kudos and acknowledgments.

For a team that struggled for so long for consistency between the pipes (Ottawa as a goaltender graveyard), he managed to provide stability in that position for over a decade, stealing crucial games in the process.

While the title of "best goalie in Senators history" is subject to all kinds of discussions around criteria, I do think that he was the best for the longest stretch of time and I will certainly miss his calm and steadying presence.

Here's one take:

https://thehockeywriters.com/senators-best-goalie-craig-anderson/

In 40 playoff games with Ottawa, Anderson has compiled a .928 SV% and a 2.30 GAA. His 40 games are second all-time in Senators’ history, while his save percentage and goals-against average are first and fourth, respectively.

Click to read more...

 

[AchtzehnBaby]

 

[Icelevel]

His first game was against the Leafs and he was A M A Z I N G

Do i have that right? 50 save shutout or something?

 

[PeterSidorkiewicz]

I’ll miss the two pad stack +poke check move. Pretty much a tie between him and Tugnutt has my fave Sens goalies of all time. He carved out a pretty great career for himself based on how it started, go Craig!

 

[NyQuil]

His first game was against the Leafs and he was A M A Z I N G

Do i have that right? 50 save shutout or something?

Close!

Craig Anderson hardly needed any time to make an impression with his new team.

The goaltender stole the show in his first game as a member of the Ottawa Senators, turning aside 47 shots in regulation and overtime before going perfect in the shootout during a 1-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

Anderson makes impressive debut, Sens down Maple Leafs 1-0

That's the way to endear yourself to this fanbase.

 

[2CHAINZ]

Got nothing but love for Anderson. Wish you and your family all the best Craig.

 

[Mark Stones Spleen]

Used to scare the hell out of me every time he'd leave the net to play the puck, but haven't felt as comfortable with a goalie in a tight game as I have with him. That return game shutout was epic. Sucks that he might not get an in-game tribute, would be one hell of an ovation.

 

[NyQuil]

Used to scare the hell out of me every time he'd leave the net to play the puck, but haven't felt as comfortable with a goalie in a tight game as I have with him. That return game shutout was epic. Sucks that he might not get an in-game tribute, would be one hell of an ovation.

I'm sure there will be an opportunity down the road to have a Craig Anderson night.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

Was never a huge fan personally, mostly because of the inconsistency, but wish him nothing but the best. His game in Edmonton during his wifes cancer battle was an incredible moment and he had many other great moments for the Senators.

 

[Alfie11]

Craig Anderson had some ups and downs in Ottawa but he gave this franchise a stable #1 goalie for a long time.

Obviously there's the conference finals run but I'll always remember Craig for being able to get stupidly hot and rack up wins when the team should have lost 7-0.

If he wants, I hope he can catch on as a veteran backup next season in the NHL.

 

[Neil Patrick Harris]

I think it speaks volumes about how good Andy was for us that the only complaint we can raise is that he was occasionally inconsistent. Especially considering how things were in the crease before we got him.

 

[NyQuil]

I think it speaks volumes about how good Andy was for us that the only complaint we can raise is that he was occasionally inconsistent. Especially considering how things were in the crease before we got him.

My issue with that criticism is that, were he more consistent, he'd be Vezina quality and likely never available to us in the first place.

 

[Pierre from Orleans]

Always liked Andy.

 

[thinkwild]

It was so nice having a goalie that actually stole games for us. So many times i remember shaking my head after a game wondering how we won that. Well it was Mr. Anderson. Hard to believe it was like a decade ago that he came over, played so well that he cost us Landeskog and landed us Jared. But after that he was often great for us. Looking forward to that well deserved appreciation night

 

[SpezDispenser]

Great goalie and great guy. Loved having him here.

 

[Rand0m]

Always loved Andy, the only time I'd ever get nervous with him in goals was when I saw a player go for the wrap around! lol

But in all seriousness, outside of Hasek, he's the best goalie this franchise ever had.

 

[NyQuil]

A funny anecdote about Anderson is when Vegas returned with Mark Stone, didn't he score on a wraparound? He had a front-row seat for Anderson's only real weakness. Well, that and puck handling / leaving the crease.

His biggest strength? Breakaways in a game (e.g. not shootouts). My God, he stopped breakaways like they were nothing.

When he first came over, there was a game with 5 or 6 breakaways and he stopped them all.

 

[Stylizer1]

Great average goaler.

 

[BonHoonLayneCornell]

My issue with that criticism is that, were he more consistent, he'd be Vezina quality and likely never available to us in the first place.

That's probably true, but I think its fair to argue that a couple of his down years really hurt the team and their trajectory. Things lined up elsewhere in the lineup and all of a sudden he stunk, then vice versa. It was frustrating at times.

 

[Xspyrit]

Thank you Andy, it was a great ride

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Best wishes Andy. I hope they told you ahead of the question period on 1200 today.

 

[Tuna99]

Andy is great. His legend will grow. Best goalie Ottawa’s ever had

 

[TheDebater]

Mr. Anderson when he was on his game, especially in the playoffs:

Instead of bullets, it was obviously pucks and he was probably the only goalie in Senators history I felt confident going into a playoff series that he would not let us down, and he never did.

Thank you Craig Anderson and good luck with your new team, as I still think you have a little more game left in you.

 

[albator71]

For me I will always remember that Edmonton game when he blank the Oilers 2-0 what an emotional win that was. I'm having goosebumps right now just thinking about it.

 

[albator71]

Craig Anderson had some ups and downs in Ottawa but he gave this franchise a stable #1 goalie for a long time.

Every goaltenders have some ups and downs, just look at Carey Price, Matt Murray, M-A Fleury. If Andy would have been our goalie instead of Patrick Lalime, we would have won at least one cup.