The Anaheim Ducks have been known for their defensive prowess recently, which includes numerous young and talented defensemen, and also their two goaltenders. While Frederik Andersen is sharing the spotlight with goalie John Gibson, the Ducks gave Gibson a three-year extension before the season, so could that mean that Andersen is somewhat dispensable?
Andersen is at the end of a two-year contract and getting an affordable $1.3 million salary this season. The increase to his salary to re-sign him would most likely be significant. With the deadline coming up fast, the 26-year-old knows there is a chance he might not be with the Ducks a whole lot longer.
"It's a fair question," Andersen said, according to the OC Register's Eric Stephens. "We have two good goalies. (You're) always going to look for using assets in whatever way. It's nothing that's in my control. You can't worry about that stuff. It's cliché but you really can't. That's never going to do anything good."
The netminder began the season in between the pipes for the Ducks, and played well, but the flu forced him to miss some games, which gave the younger Gibson a chance to shine. Gibson's play, along with their improving blueliners, helped the Ducks to a more respectable place in the standings.
In a turn of events, the Ducks might have to rely on Andersen down the stretch, though, as Gibson suffered an upper-body injury on Saturday. If it is a long-term injury, Andersen will most likely stay with the team. It is too risky to trade Andersen and have to rely on Anton Khudobin, who was recently recalled from the AHL.
"It's one of those things that's going to take care of itself whenever it does," he said, according to Stephens. "Whatever the future holds, I'm happy to play hockey."
Andersen is 6-0-2 in his last eight starts.
