When will Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen return? Canes issue health update
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen, sidelined since November with a blood-clotting issue, is close to getting back on the ice, the team announced Wednesday.
Don Waddell, the Canes’ president and general manager, said in a statement that Andersen was diagnosed with a deep-vein thrombosis and subsequent pulmonary embolisms. Waddell said Andersen has been on anti-coagulation medication while seeking medical opinions on how to safely return to playing.
“Frederik has resumed off-ice activities without complication and will begin limited on-ice conditioning,” Waddell said.
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Andersen, in a statement, said he was thrilled to be a “step closer” to getting back and playing again.
Andersen, 34, last was in a game Nov. 2 against the New York Rangers in a 2-1 loss at Madison Square Garden. With the veteran sidelined, the brunt of the goaltending has been handled by Antti Raanta and Pyotr Kochetkov.
For Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour, it has been a season filled with goaltending issues and challenges. There was Andersen’s medical situation, which led to questions about when — or if — he would return this season. Raanta, at one point, was struggling and placed on NHL waivers, but has since regained his confidence and played well.
Kochetkov has been sidelined since Jan. 11 because of a concussion, although he has been cleared to play, participated in practices and was taken off injured reserve.
Despite the goaltending dilemma, the Hurricanes have a 28-15-5 record and were second in the Metropolitan Division, two points behind the Rangers, at the NHL All-Star Game break.
Andersen had six starts and a 4-1-0 record this season, with a 2.87 goals-against average and .894 save percentage, before being sidelined.
This story was originally published January 31, 2024 at 10:45 AM.
