Anderson could be stacking the pads at practice next week
Craig Anderson is closing in on a return to the Senators.
And when he does come back, he’ll go right back into his role as the No. 1 goalie.
Speaking to the media Thursday before the Senators faced the Calgary Flames, coach Guy Boucher confirmed the plan is to have Anderson spend the weekend working with goalie coach Pierre Groulx in New Jersey and if all goes well he’ll return to practice Monday in Sunrise, Fla.
The Senators start their fourday all-star break Friday and this will allow Groulx to work with Anderson the next three days, which should speed up the process of him getting back into the net. Then, when he joins the rest of the players on the threegame road trip, he’ll be prepared for practice.
After facing the Panthers on Tuesday, the Senators are in Tampa on Feb. 2 and complete the road trip on Feb. 4 in Buffalo, but Anderson isn’t expected to suit up for any of those games. If all goes well, it’s believed the target date for him to play is Feb. 7 against the St. Louis Blues at Canadian Tire Centre.
Anderson has been with his wife Nicholle while she underwent treatment for throat cancer at a New York-based facility.
Nicholle has completed that treatment and is preparing to return to Ottawa. She tweeted a photo of fans with Anderson on Wednesday night at an undisclosed rink in New Jersey and is looking forward to him rejoining his teammates.
“I couldn’t be more proud of my husband for everything he has done for our family. Now get back to where you belong,” Nicholle said.
Asked about the progress, Boucher was happy, but he’s cautious because Anderson won’t leave home unless he’s certain Nicholle’s health is good.
“That’s very positive,” Boucher said. “We knew the minute that he could try to get training on his own that he would do it . ...
“It’s the beginning of the next part of the process and, I mean, we said the target was the end of January or the beginning of February and I think we’re right there. He’s going to have the next days to continue, he’ll be with us at some point and we’ll see him soon enough.”
Boucher said Anderson will work with Groulx because he’s ready.
“He wants to accelerate the process on his own,” Boucher said. “Could he be (at practice Monday night)? Sure, but I don’t want to say yes and then he’s got something that happens that he has to be (with) his family and his wife and whatever needs to be done, so I don’t want to get into that.
“We’re getting much closer and further in the process of him coming back for good.”
Of course, this will be welcome news for Mike Condon.
He made his 24th straight appearance and 15th straight start Thursday with the Flames in town. He’ll start Tuesday in Florida, so he’ll tie the club record for consecutive appearances set by Damian Rhodes (25) and then set it when Condon plays Feb. 2 against the Bolts.
But Boucher said Condon’s days as a regular in the net are coming to an end the minute Anderson is ready to play. Boucher wasn’t about to get into any debate when asked if Anderson would have to battle for his top job when he does return to the Senators.
“Oh my goodness, that’s stuff for you to have fun and try to ... That’s soap opera stuff, that’s not my stuff,” Boucher said with a laugh when asked if Anderson will have to compete for his job. Then, Boucher got serious. “It’s clear since Day 1: Anderson is our No. 1 goaltender and Condon has done a terrific job and (Andrew) Hammond is right there trying to come back, and for me it’s all about quality and depth. Anderson is our No. 1 since Day 1 and that hasn’t changed,” Boucher said.
“Condon knows that and he knows what his job is and Hammond knows what his job is. You can have fun with it. For me, it’s just a matter of time until (Anderson) gets his timing back and I know it will be tough to come back. Let’s not kid ourselves — it will be two months, him not playing and training, so we’re going to give him the time he needs.
“When we put him in net, we’ll feel that he’s ready. How long that’s going to take? I don’t know, but the one thing that’s for sure is Condon’s been asked to take the job and he’s done a wonderful job and that’s why it’s a team. That’s why we don’t play tennis one on one. There’s no controversy in that respect.”