It seems the Ottawa Senators are serious about keeping Andrew "Hamburglar" Hammond around for at least a few more seasons, as Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun Times reports that the team has opened contract negotiations with the upstart netminder.
"No, nothing is imminent and it's not even known if talks between Hammond's Minny-based agent Dan Plante and Senators assistant GM Pierre Dorion have gotten serious. Yes, Hammond is about to be a UFA, but the season just ended over week ago and it's a long way to the June 26-27 NHL entry draft."
The question is, if Hammond does indeed sign a new pact with the Sens, what does that mean for the other goaltenders on the Ottawa roster?
"Of course, everybody around the league is watching and waiting on the situation because Murray has indicated he'll deal a goalie if Hammond does decide to sign on the dotted line," writes Garrioch.
Robin Lehner, 24, is young, talented and still finding the consistency to his game - he missed much of this past season with concussion issues. He seems the easiest to deal considering his age, but his inability to realize his potential thus far in his career will likely hinder his value.
Craig Anderson, 33, is the elder statesman, but despite his advancing age proved again in the playoffs that he's as tough as nails and willing to take on any and all comers. His value will be limited both by his age and his cap hit - his $4.25 million extension is set to kick in this offseason.
Then there's Hammond, 27, something of a late bloomer who may be finally coming into his own but who is presumably difficult to count on considering his single season of elite-level play and the barely passable efforts he strung together before and after his improbable run.
Determining a fair market value for him will be tricky to say the least.
Despite a poor AHL stint to start the season, Hammond was somehow able to string together a 20-1-2 run that included a .941 save percentage and a 1.79 goals against average.
Stellar numbers, no doubt, but Hammond wasn't even able to retain the starting gig throughout the playoff series against the Habs, eventually ceding the spot to Anderson.
Still Hammond and his agent want to see the man affectionately known as "Hamburglar" stay in the Senators fold.
"I have been in touch with Ottawa, however nothing is imminent," Plante said recently, per Garrioch. "Andrew is very hopeful to get something worked out to remain with the club."
What all this means for Lehner, Anderson and Hammond remains to be seen, but it seems a safe bet that at least one of the trio will be playing elsewhere by the start of next season.
