Frederik Andersen Injured in Offseason Training

It's been a rough few years between the pipes for the Edmonton Oilers, and just when it looked like they might have found a stabilizing presence in net, another curveball has landed squarely in their crease. The club announced on Wednesday that four players won't be participating in training camp next month, and the biggest name on that list is going to sting for a fanbase that was hoping for some much-needed goaltending help.

Frederik Andersen, the 36-year-old netminder who signed a one-year, $2.8 million deal with Edmonton on July 1 after helping the Carolina Hurricanes capture the Stanley Cup, sustained an injury during offseason training and is not expected to be ready for camp. The Oilers did not disclose the nature or severity of the injury, nor did they offer a timeline for his return. They simply stated that an update would come "when the time is appropriate." For a team that finished bottom-three in save percentage last season at .883 and was in the bottom-10 in goals-against average, this is about the last thing they needed to hear heading into September.

A Cup Winner Sidelined Before He Can Even Start

Andersen was brought in specifically to address Edmonton's goaltending woes. His regular season numbers with Carolina in 2025-26 were modest at best, posting a .874 save percentage and 3.05 GAA across 35 starts. But it was the postseason where the Danish veteran truly showed his worth. Over 16 playoff games, Andersen was a different goalie entirely, going 13-2 with a 1.89 GAA, a .910 save percentage, and three shutouts as the Hurricanes rolled to the franchise's second Stanley Cup. It's worth noting that Andersen did not play after Game 3 of the Cup Final against Vegas due to a knee injury, so durability concerns were already part of the conversation when Edmonton signed him.

The two-time All-Star carries an impressive career resume spanning 13 NHL seasons with Anaheim, Toronto, and Carolina. In 552 regular season games, he owns a .913 save percentage and 28 shutouts. His playoff numbers are equally strong, with a .913 save percentage and eight shutouts in 101 postseason appearances. Edmonton was clearly banking on that experience and pedigree to bring some calm to a position that has been anything but settled.

What This Means for the Oilers' Crease

With Andersen on the shelf for an undetermined period, the Oilers will likely lean on the other options already in the organization. Veteran Tristan Jarry and prospect Devon Levi are both expected to be in camp and will now be thrust into the spotlight sooner than anticipated. Neither name exactly inspires the kind of confidence that Andersen's playoff track record does, but Edmonton may not have much choice in the short term.

Andersen wasn't the only notable absence from the announcement. Forward Matt Savoie, who played all 82 games last season and chipped in 18 goals and 19 assists in what was his first full NHL campaign, also suffered an injury during offseason training. Forward Mattias Janmark and defenseman Alec Regula are recovering from medical procedures performed during or shortly after last season. Janmark, in particular, has had a rough go of it, having undergone season-ending surgery in March after appearing in just 43 games.

Edmonton's training camp is set to begin on September 16, with their first preseason game slated for September 19 against the Winnipeg Jets. The regular season opener comes on September 29 when the Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks. Whether Andersen will be available for any of those dates remains a mystery, and the Oilers are clearly in no rush to tip their hand. For a team that desperately needed its goaltending situation sorted out before the puck drops, this is an early season headache that could have real consequences if it lingers.