Frederik Andersen Among League Leaders Now

Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

If you want to find something good to take out of last night’s disappointing loss to the Florida Panthers think of this – with the loss, Frederik Andersen now qualifies as one of the best goalies in the league.

Going into last night’s game, Andersen had not played enough games to his stats to qualify for the NHL leaderboards, but even in the loss he now sits among the leaders in both save percentage and goals against average.

Funny how that works right?

I am sure if you ask Andersen he would take the ‘W’ over the numbers but its just another thing for the league to recognize the amazing start he has had to his career.

Andersen was named NHL’s ‘Second Star’ of the week last week for his performance and now he sits third in GAA and fourth in save percentage in the league.

For as good this is, especially after last night’s loss, it makes you wonder even more what the Ducks plan to do with their goalie situation once Viktor Fasth returns from his conditioning loan in Norfolk.

Easy answer would be to just send Andersen down, and let him be the team’s insurance policy in case of another injury to Fasth or Jonas Hiller. But in all reality, what does Andersen have left to prove in the AHL? Better yet, do you want to take away playing time from John Gibson who is shining in his first professional season, earning the AHL goalie of the month honor in October and has shown time and time again he is the future of the team?

A trade of either Hiller or Fasth would seem like the more likely course, as it would keep Andersen in the NHL and allow Gibson to continue to be a full-time starter in Norfolk.

Whatever the course of action is, the Ducks find themselves in a position that any team would envy. They sit atop the NHL by ways of points and are extremely deep at the game’s most valuable position.

Anthony Murphy is the Editor at Pucks Of A Feather. You can reach him by email anthony.murphy@thefarmclub.net or follow him on Twitter @AMurphyTFC.