The Era of #BeastMODE
Written by: AJ Bhuller
Adrian Wyld – CP
It was a random trade on a random night, on February 18th, 2011. 10 days before the 2011 trade deadline. I remember seeing it on my phone and didn't know what to think. The Senators traded G Brian Elliot to The Avalanche for G Craig Anderson. I knew he had a great year in Florida, before moving on to have a good year in Colorado, before following off in that current season. He came into Ottawa, little known and sporting a 0.897 SV%. A small percentage of the fan base was calling it a "pro-tank" trade. Well, those pro-tankers were disappointed as Craig Peter Anderson put up a 0.939 SV% through 18 games with the Senators. Essentially costing us a shot at drafting the likes of Gabriel Landeskog or Ryan Nugent Hopkins. However, it turned out that this random trade on a random night, became one of the biggest acquisitions in franchise history.
Humble Beginnings
Looking at Anderson's Senators career, one would think this was a highly touted goalie coming up all the way through at every level. But that was not the case. Anderson took a unique path to becoming the best goalie in Senators history. He was drafted twice, by the Chicago Blackhawks. 77th overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft and 73rd overall in 2001. From 2001-2007, he jumped between the minors and the NHL, spending more time in the AHL than anywhere else. In the 2006 season, he was waived and claimed three times on the NHL waiver wire. On January 19th he was claimed by The Boston Bruins. January 31st he was claimed from Boston by The St Louis Blues. On February 3rd the Chicago Blackhawks said enough is enough, we want him back and reclaimed him from St Louis. Anderson didn't play a single game with the Bruins or Blues. Things finally turned around in June 2006, when he was traded to the Florida Panthers for a sixth-round pick. Anderson finally established himself as an NHL regular, posting a save percentage of 0.931, 0.935 and 0.924 from 2006-2009. He set a career-high in NHL games played, to that point, in the 2008 season with 31 games played. On July 1st, 2009 the Colorado Avalanche took a chance on Anderson, signing him to a two-year deal worth $3.6 million. He beat out Peter Budaj in training camp to become Colorado's number-one goalie. Playing a career-high 71 games, collecting 38 wins and a 0.917 SV%.
Love At First Site
Bryan Murray explained the trade was a trial of sorts. A chance to see if Ottawa liked Craig Anderson and Craig Anderson liked Ottawa back. It couldn't have gotten off to a more perfect start. In his first game with the Senators, he shut out the worst of all bad guys in the league, the Toronto Maple Leafs with a record 47-save shutout. It was one of the best debuts for a goalie in league history, joining a new team. Through 18 games, he posted a record of 11-5-1 with 2.05 goals against average and 0.939 SV%. The good news continued, as one month after being acquired, he agreed to a four-year deal with $3.2 million per season. It was the best stretch of hockey The Senators had played in a few seasons, and the Senators had their goalie of the future to push them out of a rebuild.
Consistency and Adversity
Anderson was not only consistent for the Senators. He had become one of the most consistent goalies in the league. Reliable year to year and becoming part of the culture in the Ottawa locker room. He posted a save percentage north of 0.900 in all but one season in Ottawa. He had stints of injuries, sure, but despite this, he still holds multiple records in Senators goaltending history; games played with 435, wins with 202, saves with 12, 447 and points among goalies with 11 assists. Not easy or a given to be that consistent for that long. Anderson faced adversity throughout, he dealt with multiple injuries on an annual basis. At one point he had to contend with fans wanting him to move over to make room for Andrew Hammond to take over as the undisputed number one goalie. Nothing was more remarkable for Anderson than playing through, likely, the most adverse moment in his family's life. In October of 2016, it became public that Anderson's wife, Nicole Anderson was going through treatment for throat cancer. He had taken a leave from the team at this time to tend to more important matters. Suddenly Ottawa's goaltending depth was being challenged as shortly after this leave, Andrew Hammond sustained an injury that would keep him out of action and the Senators had little place to turn. Enter Nicole Anderson, telling her husband to go and be with his teammates because they needed him. Craig returned to the team and went on to post the most emotional and powerful shutout in Senators history. A 35-save shutout in a 2-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers. The sights and emotions from that game will be forever etched into our brains. If you know, you know.
Playoff Success
Putting up steady regular season numbers is one thing. But Anderson would sustain his consistency into the postseason throughout his time with the Senators. His playoff heroics started with the Colorado Avalanche. Although they lost their first-round matchup, Anderson put up a 0.933 SV% in 6 games. His highlight reels include dozens of ten-bell saves throughout that matchup. Senators fans will always remember his heroics during The Senators 5 game gentlemen’s sweep of The Montreal Canadiens in the 2013 playoffs. He was instrumental in The Senators unlikely 2017 run to the Eastern Conference Final against The Pittsburgh Penguins. That could have been the year folks. If not for stupid head Chris Kunitz! Anderson owns an all-time playoff record of 24 wins and 23 losses with a sparkling 2.36 GAA and 0.929 SV%.
Coming Back Home
On Tuesday, October 24th, 2023, Craig Anderson signed a one-day deal with Ottawa to retire as a Senator. It was a fitting end to a tremendous career. I feel like we blinked and missed it, for me, time flew by during his time in Ottawa. We maybe even took him for granted during his tenure in the Red and Gold. But he is finally being honoured in his rightful place as the greatest goalie in Senators history. My god, did he look good in the 2D jersey. As we close this tremendous ERA and honour his inspiring career, who knows, any day now we could make another random trade on another random night that could change the Franchise for the foreseeable future. Welcome to the Senators Alumni, Craig!
Senators Come Up Short on Anderson's Big Night
On the scoresheet, things didn't go well on this special night. Despite carrying the play for long stretches, the Senators came up short in a 5-4 loss to the division rival, Buffalo Sabres – Anderson's former team. To their credit, the Senators have dominated in analytics the last two games in Corsi For (CF%), shots on goal and high-danger scoring chances. But they have lost the special team's battle and that has cost the team. They are a bounce of two from turning things around and there is still time to get the job done. Stay optimistic my brethren, there have to be good days ahead, with plenty of season left and karma on our side!
