What a night.
After 709 regular-season games over 20 seasons, Buffalo Sabres goaltender Craig Anderson has called it a career at the age of 41. Anderson, who was the oldest player in the NHL, won his final start against his former team, the Ottawa Senators, beating them 4-3 in overtime at the KeyBank Center.
Anderson told reporters following the game that was it on his NHL career, which started in 2002-03 with a six-game run with the Chicago Blackhawks. Anderson went on to play for Florida, Colorado, Ottawa, Washington and Buffalo, with his best years coming with the Senators. During his decade-long run with the Canadian capital, Anderson recorded the most games played (435), wins (202) and goals saved above average (15) in franchise history.
Anderson also had a solid playoff record, recording a .929 save percentage in 48 games — the most of any active goaltender. He spent the past two seasons tending the net for the Sabres, acting as a mentor for the barrage of young goaltenders who have come through looking to take the starter’s gig. Anderson had a 27-23-4 record over two seasons, highlighted by a big performance in the NHL’s Heritage Classic against the Toronto Maple Leafs last season.
Drafted twice in the NHL — 77th overall by Calgary in 1999 and 73rd overall in 2001 — Anderson led the NHL in save percentage twice and won the 2017 Bill Masterton Trophy. He also represented USA at two World Hockey Championships.
Anderson was set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. But with his age, and with the crowded Sabres crease for next season, it was an easy decision for Anderson to call it a career on a high note. He’ll finish his career 318 wins, the fifth-most among American goaltenders. Jonathan Quick leads all active netminders with 375, with Connor Hellebuyck being the highest other active goaltender with 238.
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