The question for the Carolina Hurricanes has always been the goaltending. The offseason was a huge gamble from the front office, bringing in two new goalies. But man, is Frederik Andersen proving how right the move was.
Petr Mrazek and Alex Nedeljkovic were a solid tandem. Not elite, but solid. The trade of Ned in the offseason caused an uproar among Caniacs after witnessing the young goaltender turn in sparkling performances in last year’s playoffs. Mrazek was a fan favorite and the chants of “PETR! PETR! PETR!” echoed frequently inside PNC Arena. However, the Hurricanes front office still felt they needed a top-tier starter in the net.
Enter: Frederik Andersen.
After an injury-riddled season and consistent ridicule from Toronto media, the writing was on the wall for Andersen’s exit. Carolina swooped in on the first day of free agency, signing the Danish goaltender to a two-year deal worth $9 million. A pay cut, but the chance to contend and own the net on a team with a winning culture. Questions and critics still had their doubts.
Does Andersen move the needle for Carolina? Will he ever find the form he had early in his career?
How has it gone so far? Well, honestly, it could not have started any better.
‘Freddie” has started the first six games of the season and won every one. His performances have gotten better and better with each game, capped off with a 33-save shutout against the Boston Bruins. Andersen is quickly touching the hearts of Canes fans. Instead of a “PETR!” or a “NED!”, now it is “FREDDIE!” loud and proud.
10th career assist, 20th career shutout ... quite the night for Freddie Andersen!@Canes | #LetsGoCanes pic.twitter.com/hRniTYoWhC
— Bally Sports: Canes (@CanesOnBally) October 29, 2021
The six-game run from Freddie marks NHL history, making him the second goaltender ever to win his first six games with a new team, joining only Frank McCool of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1944-45.
The effort in front of Andersen has been nothing short of special as well. A team playing with the same mentality as their head coach, built on hard work, pressure, and speed. Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov have been elite to start the season and the new faces on defense have fit in seamlessly. But it never hurts to have a goaltender behind you with a *checks notes again* .956 save percentage.
The adjustment is something Freddie needed. The easy-going, quiet nature of Raleigh is not the flashiest of places for a free agent. However, it is the perfect landing spot for a goaltender who needed a change of scenery and has the chance to prove people wrong. Similar to Dougie Hamilton, Andersen has left the Canadian spotlight and excelled thus far in Carolina.
Don Waddell and Tom Dundon took a huge gamble, reconstructing the roster with so many new players. You get the feeling the Carolina Hurricanes are playing chess and the rest of the league is playing checkers. Each move seems to pay off.
And the jackpot seems to have been struck with Freddie Andersen.