Canes’ Andersen Strikes Sudden Deal at 35—What This Means for Round 2 Showdown

Just a couple of days before the Carolina Hurricanes kick off their high-stakes second-round playoff series, they’ve nailed down a crucial piece of the puzzle — locking up veteran goalie Frederik Andersen for another season. At 35, Andersen isn’t just a steady pair of hands between the pipes; he’s a reliable workhorse whose winning percentage places him among the NHL’s elite. This one-year, $2.75 million deal, sprinkled with performance incentives, is a savvy move by GM Eric Tulsky, reinforcing a goaltending duo with Pyotr Kochetkov that comes in comfortably under $6 million. With the Canes fresh off a hard-fought victory over the Devils and poised to challenge the powerhouse Capitals, having Andersen back — especially as he’s expected to start Game 1 after his first-round injury — could make all the difference in pushing Carolina deeper into the postseason grind. The timing, the stakes, the player — it’s a story worth keeping your eyes on. LEARN MORE