Veteran goaltender being mentioned in trade rumors after hot start to the season.

Many NHL teams are in need of help in goal.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Veteran goaltender being mentioned in trade rumors after hot start to the season.

A National Hockey League veteran is seemingly having a huge resurgence in the American Hockey League.

Ottawa Senators goaltender Andrew "Hamburgler" Hammond underwent hip surgery earlier this year to correct an injury that was believed to have derailed his career over parts of the last two seasons, and it seems to have worked.

The Senators netminder has played four games for their AHL affiliate. the Belleville Senators, and Hammond has impressed with his performance. So much so in fact that Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman believes he could soon be a potential trade target. 

"From what I understand, he’s looked pretty good," said Friedman as per Nichols on Hockey. I know somebody who went to go see him and said he looks much, much better than he did last year."

“Ottawa clearly does not want to have that salary in the American Hockey League, so I think if he continues to play that way – Chris Johnston mentioned Michael Hutchinson as a guy that the Jets might move because he’s in the American Hockey League making a million – I do think that if Hammond continues to play well, you’re going to hear his name come up as a possibility in the goalie market.”

There are a number of teams in the NHL right now that could be looking to add an experience backup, especially one that has proven he can carry a relatively heavy workload while performing at the NHL level. 

The Las Vegas Golden Knights would be the most obvious choice given the fact the almost comical number of injuries they have had at the goaltending position through just a few games this season. However other teams with veteran goaltenders that are currently struggling could look to add an experienced back up to push their stars back into form.

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“I don’t know if it’s going to be the Hamburglar there, but I do think that he’s a name that you’re going to here start to come out of it if teams are looking for goalies,” said Friedman.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens all have star caliber goaltenders who are currently under-performing, as evidenced by the fact that all three teams rank near the bottom of the league in save percentage, and Hammond could be viewed as an inexpensive option to jump-start their goaltending. 

“And yes,” Friedman added, “If Vegas loses anybody else, no doubt they’re going to be there.”

Hammond is in the final year of his deal and would carry a cap hit of $1,350,000 this season. In 4 games with the Belleville Senators this year he has a 2.69 goals against average and a .929 save percentage.“And yes,” Friedman added with a smile, “If Vegas loses anybody else, no doubt they’re going to be there.”

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