With Free Agency set to commence Friday at noon, the Senators have lucked out in having two outstanding goaltenders in Craig Anderson and the future of the Sens, Robin Lehner. Until you realize that only a couple of years ago, the Sens had Brian Elliot and Pascal Leclaire between the pipes, you tend to bring out a sigh of relief. Just let the numbers do all the talking and you'll see what I mean.
In 2009,
Brian Elliot posted a record of 29-18, with a 2.57 GAA, and owning a respectable .909 save percentage.
Pascal Leclaire on the other hand, posted a record of 12-14, holding a 3.20 GAA, and owning a .887 save percentage.
Brian Elliot came into relief that season for injury prone, Pascal Leclaire who was far from anything the Senators expected him to be. Simply looking at Elliot's stats in '09, he had a solid season, and the Senators did too, posting a 44-32 record under Head Coach at the time, Cory Clouston. However, barring a first round exit to the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and disappointing season from Elliot the following season, Bryan Murray finally silenced the goaltending questions once and for all.
In the summer of 09', Murray drafted Swedish netminder, Robin Lehner 46th overall. However, GM Bryan Murray wasn't finished addressing the goaltending situation. Lehner was the answer for the future, but what would be the answer for the present? On February 18th, 2011, Murray traded Brian Elliot to the Colorado Avalanche for Craig Anderson. Let the glory days begin!
In the 2011-2012 campaign, we saw a whole new look for the Senators as they brought in Paul MacLean who was the Asst. Head Coach in Detroit next to Mike Babcock to take over behind the bench. We saw promising young defenseman, Erik Karlsson make a statement to the NHL that he belongs in the NHL by taking home the Norris Trophy award. However, most importantly, we saw the goaltending questions be put to bed.
In 2011-2012,
Craig Andeson posted a record of 33-22, with a GAA of 2.84, owning a .914 save percentage proving Ottawa that he could still play in the NHL.
Rookie netminder, Robin Lehner appeared in only 5 games, posting a record of 3-2, with a GAA of 2.01, and a save percentage of .935 as he turned away 144/155 shots.
Newly acquired netminder, Ben Bishop from St. Louis post a record of 3-3, with a 2.48 GAA, and a save percentage of .909.
Paul MacLean, took this team from the bottom, and made them contenders once again, as the Senators finished 8th in the Eastern Conference, before making a first round exit against the top seeded New York Rangers after a fantastic 7 game series! However, there was only room to improve for these three goaltenders.
This past season,
Craig Anderson finished the season with a 12-9 record, owning an outstanding 1.54 GAA, and a remarkable .941 save percentage barring an ankle injury that sidelined him for a vast amount of time.
Ben Bishop came in relief for Anderson, posting an 8-5 record, with a 2.45 GAA, and a respectable .922 save percentage.
Robin Lehner also came in relief as he played the back-up role behind Bishop posting a 5-3 record with a 2.20 GAA, and a remarkable .936 save percentage.
It's quite funny to think about it now, Craig Anderson is only set to make $3,187,500; meanwhile Robin Lehner is only set to make $870,000 in his final year of his entry-level contract. You see, other goalies in the NHL making double that money and not producing nearly the results these two goaltenders did this past season. GM's have to be careful with how much money goes into goaltending, because they tend to become highly unpredictable. Case in point, Ilya Bryzgalov.
The Senators had something that every team drools over, and that's a goaltending surplus. However, there were only 2 spots in the NHL roster, so Bryan Murray traded Bishop for promising rookie, Cory Conacher, and this year's 4th rounder. The Senators now have one of the strongest netminder duos in the NHL in Anderson and Lehner. It's almost difficult to remember that just a couple of years ago, goaltending was one of our biggest concerns, and now it is our strength. However, A LOT of credit goes to goaltending coach, Rick Wamsley as he has turned these netminders into All-Stars. Anderson and Lehner sure make you forget the old, gloomy days in a hurry. Wow, does time fly by!
Thanks for reading!
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