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Andersen wants to help Oilers ‘get over the hump’
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Jul 6, 2026, 18:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 6, 2026, 17:53 EDT
The Edmonton Oilers’ free agent signing with the most pedigree is reigning Stanley Cup champion Frederik Andersen.
Fresh off a tremendous playoff run where he went 13-2 before Brandon Bussi took over, Edmonton was looking to shore up its crease with a veteran who’s been through the rigours of a Stanley Cup run.
Adding Andersen and up-and-comer Devon Levi will push returning netminder Tristan Jarry, as they’ll compete for gametime in 2026-27. He’ll be turning 37 around the start of the season, but he still wants to compete at the highest level.
The Oilers were an attractive option for him because they want to win.
“Edmonton has been knocking on the door for a while now,” Andersen told reporters on Monday. “It’s a team that’s got aspirations to try to win. And like I said, they’ve been close. It would be really awesome to be part of the team to get over the hump. I think they’re very serious about it. So that’s part of it. I’m really excited about that opportunity.”
That’s where having Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl helps, too.
“They’ve made me and the rest of the league look silly a lot of times before in games, but now it’s just going to be in practice,” he said. “It’s cool to get to see that up close and obviously see how they operate. That’s a cool experience and a cool opportunity to play with just elite, elite players.”
CREDIT: Edmonton Oilers. Frederik Andersen during his virtual media avail on Monday, July 6.
‘Maybe age’ played into contract
Andersen may have been able to earn more in a thin free-agent pool. His one-year deal works out to just $1 million against the salary cap, but is laden with up to $1.8 million in bonuses as he plays more games.
If Andersen plays 10 games, he’ll earn $600,000 in bonuses. If he gets to 20 games, that’s another $400,000. He’ll also get $200,000 for each playoff round the Oilers win, in which he plays half or more of the games.
Andersen says he liked the structure of the deal, so it can help the Oilers be flexible in building a contender. He admits age plays into it.
“That’s one thing that makes it exciting to go there,” said Andersen. “They want to make sure they can put the best team on the ice and try to get over that final hump…I think the deal is structured in a way that’s going to help the team with some flexibility in terms of that.”
3-goalie tandem, Babcock
Andersen has a lot of miles on him, having played 552 career regular-season games and 101 more in the postseason.
Those age considerations, as well as injury concerns, are part of the reason general manager Stan Bowman is prepping fans to expect a three-headed monster in net, or at least to begin the season. Devon Levi is no longer exempt from waivers, so the Oilers risk losing him if they send him down.
When Mike Babcock coached Andersen with the Toronto Maple Leafs for three seasons from 2016-17 to 2018-19, he suited up in 60-plus games each year, including 66 games twice.
“I think those days are probably over for me,” said Andersen, who played 35 games last season, the most he’s played in the last four years.
“I’m definitely happy to be part of, I think, a good goalie rotation. I think we can get a lot out of each other, especially with the schedule being a little bit different the last few years…You’ve got to get everyone keeping fresh and really get the best out of each other that way.”
Some of Andersen’s best hockey came under Mike Babcock.
Although there have been many stories of former players who’ve felt wronged by Babcock, when Andersen went through struggles early in his tenure in Toronto, Babcock worked with him on ways to detach from the rink to get his mental side of the game sharp.
That rapport is a benefit for the Oilers heading into next season.
“My experience was good,” he said. “As a goalie, you don’t obviously deal with the head coach as much, and he kind of leaves you alone with the goalie coach to kind of do your thing.
“He was a great coach. Great X’s and O’s. I thought he got a lot out of our group, and we were a young team then. I’m just excited to see what we can do together in this new opportunity.”
Michael Menzies is an Oilersnation columnist and co-host of PreGaming and Oilersnation After Dark. He’s also been the play-by-play voice of the Bonnyville Pontiacs in the AJHL since 2019. With seven years of news experience as the Editor-at-Large of Lakeland Connect in Bonnyville, Menzies collects vinyl, books, and stomach issues. Follow him on X at Menzies_4.
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