Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen had torn MCL; was close to returning

The Carolina Hurricanes played two full playoff series, going seven games in each, without a single minute from their starting goaltender Frederik Andersen. On Wednesday, with the Canes packing up for the season after losing Game 7 at home to the New York Rangers, we finally learned what kept Andersen out of the playoffs.

The injury, which Andersen suffered in an April 16 game against the Colorado Avalanche, was a torn MCL. It cost him the final six games of the regular season as well as the playoffs. What stings for Andersen and the Canes is that Andersen revealed Wednesday he was close to returning – close enough that he likely would’ve returned to Carolina’s net in the Eastern Conference final.

Andersen, 32, had arguably his best NHL season in 2021-22. He won a career-high 35 games and finished second in the league in goals-against average (2.17) and save percentage (.922). Among 55 goaltenders who played 1,000 or more minutes at 5-on-5, he ranked eighth in goals saved above average per 60 minutes.

Unfortunately, 2021-22 marked the second straight playoffs in which an injury kept Andersen from competing. Last season, after a lengthy LTIR stint, he watched from the sidelines as Jack Campbell took over the Toronto Maple Leafs net for the stretch run and playoffs. This season, Antti Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov saw playoff action in Andersen’s place.

Andersen is signed for one more season in Carolina at a $4.5-million cap hit.