Big Medical Milestone For Frederik Andersen

It was a scary situation six weeks ago when Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen had to step away from hockey indefinitely due to a serious blood clotting issue. Great news now, however, as Andersen has surpassed a huge medical milestone, and has been cleared to resume skating. 

Frederik Andersen has been medically cleared to resume skating and may be a month away from making a return.

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— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 17, 2023

Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell said Andersen is “maybe a month away” from being back between the pipes.

The 34-year-old last played on November 2nd, but shortly thereafter medical tests showed a blood clotting issue that needed to be addressed immediately. There was no timetable for his return at the time.

His impending return is obviously great news for the Hurricanes, not only for his return to health, but also due to the team's struggles in net without him. They currently have the NHL’s worst team save percentage, at .871, and just this weekend put Antti Raanta on waivers and sent him down to the AHL.

Andersen, 34, is 4-1-0 this season with a 2.87 goals-against average and an .894 save percentage. This is his third season with the Hurricanes after going 21-11-1 with a 2.48 GAA and a .903 Sv% last year, and finishing 4th in Vezina voting in his first season with Carolina in 2021-22.  Andersen is signed through next season at a cap hit of $3.4 million.

Photo: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports