Goaile Craig Anderson signs one-year, $1.5M deal to stay with Sabres

Goaltender Craig Anderson isn't ready to ride off into the sunset of retirement just yet. 

According to The Associated Press (h/t ESPN) and the NHL website, Anderson has agreed to a one-year contract to remain with the Buffalo Sabres. The 41-year-old could have become an unrestricted free agent on July 13 but instead is set to earn $1.5 million during the 2022-23 season. 

Anderson was one of multiple Buffalo goalies who endured setbacks during what became a legitimate crisis for the club at the position this past season. In total, he made 31 starts for the Sabres in 2021-22 and went 17-12-2 with a 3.12 goals-against average and .897 save percentage. 

The AP notes that Anderson considered retirement due to family and health reasons. 

"It says a lot about Craig and his family and also how he feels about the coaching staff, the players, the organization because, you know, I don't know if this time last year if he thought maybe this could be one year," Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said. "I think he had fun and he sees something special building. He actually even said to me, 'In all my years of playing, I don't know if I've enjoyed myself more than I did last year.' So, yeah, we're excited and we'll just keep working on what's next."

The Chicago Blackhawks selected Anderson in the third round of the 2001 NHL Draft, and he's gone on to notch 308 career regular-season wins with a 2.85 goals-against average, .912 save percentage and 42 shutouts.