Given his advanced age, the wear and tear his 6-foot-2, 187-pound frame has endured over 890 pro games (playoffs included) since 2001-02, it’s unlikely Anderson can carry the load over a grueling six-month NHL season. The Sabres likely plan to start the season with Anderson and newcomer Eric Comrie, 27, as their goalies. Right now, Anderson’s role this season is unclear. “You don’t play and come back and play after dealing with the injuries he dealt with last year, the age he’s at, unless you love the game,” Granato said.
With Zdeno Chara and Joe Thornton no longer active, Anderson has become the NHL’s oldest player. On June 30, Anderson signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract. So for three or four weeks, Anderson said he kept asking himself the same questions at the gym: “Is this something I want to continue through the summer? (Do I) still have that drive to get up every morning and go do it?” “I think the message is that if you feel you can still compete and still do, and you still love doing it, why not keep trying?” “I still had that urge, right?” Anderson said following Friday’s session of training camp at KeyBank Center. He spoke his wife, Nicholle, their children and his agent. He began his normal offseason workouts – “That kind of summertime groove,” he said – and felt good. He wondered about the long-term effects of the neck and hip injuries that combined to sideline him 35 games last season.Īnderson returned home to Florida following last season and said he “seriously considered” re-signing or retiring.
He quickly became a leader and a mentor during what he has called an “amazing” year.Įven though he was about to turn 41, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams and coach Don Granato told him they wanted him back.Īnderson, however, needed to contemplate his future. In his first year here, besides often giving the Sabres terrific goaltending, the veteran’s professionalism and work ethic set a high standard for the rebuilding team. BUFFALO – Craig Anderson left town five months ago knowing he could return to the Sabres and play his 20th NHL season if he desired.
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