Craig Anderson, a goalie who had a good season with the Florida Panthers last season, has signed a two-year contract with the Avalanche, the team confirmed today.
Anderson is expected to be the Avs’ No. 1 goalie next season, with Peter Budaj as his backup.
Anderson, 28, was 15-7-5 with Panthers, with a .924 saves percentage, 2.71 goals-against average and three shutouts. Anderson’s saves percentage was the third-best in the NHL last season.
He signed a two-year, $3.6 million contract. He will make $1.5 million this season, and $2.125 million in the second year. Anderson made $575,000 with the Panthers last season.
“In Craig we feel we have addressed a very important need within our organization,” Avs general manager Greg Sherman said in a statement. “His overall performance last year was very impressive and he is entering the prime years of his career.”
“I look forward to playing with the Avalanche,” Anderson said in a statement. “This team has a great mix of youth and experience and as a group, I feel we are up for the challenge of getting back into contention.”
Anderson split time with Tomas Vokoun with the Panthers, but with Vokoun the primary starter, Anderson, the native of Park Ridge, Ill., wanted to go to a team where he could be the No. 1 goalie.
Anderson was courted by several NHL teams, but had the Avalanche at the top of his list. The Avs afforded him the best opportunity to be a starter, he believed, and he likes the Denver area.
