--- title: "Oilers bring in Cup-winning Andersen after Jarry disaster" description: "Edmonton adds Stanley Cup champion Frederik Andersen on a one-year, $2.8M deal to shore up a crease that collapsed last season. His postseason résumé outshines his regular-season flaws." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/oilers-sign-frederik-andersen-to-one-year-contract-516f0f8b published: 2026-07-03T08:45:21.678+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T08:45:21.678+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey"] --- # Oilers bring in Cup-winning Andersen after Jarry disaster > Edmonton adds Stanley Cup champion Frederik Andersen on a one-year, $2.8M deal to shore up a crease that collapsed last season. His postseason résumé outshines his regular-season flaws. The Edmonton Oilers added veteran goaltender Frederik Andersen on a one-year contract worth a $2.8 million average annual value, bringing a championship pedigree to a crease that imploded last season. Andersen’s arrival follows a brutal year for Edmonton’s net. Tristan Jarry posted a 4.18 goals-against average and an .887 save percentage before being shipped to Boston, while the Oilers allowed 256 goals, second-worst in the NHL. The 36-year-old Danish stopper, however, just backstopped Carolina to the Stanley Cup with a 1.56 GAA and .930 save percentage across 17 playoff games, including a 200-save, 4-1 series dismantling of the Rangers. The deal is structured as $1 million base salary with $1.8 million in potential performance bonuses, giving Edmonton a low-risk shot at stabilizing its goaltending. Andersen’s postseason resume now includes a Conn Smythe Trophy–level run, but the Oilers must decide whether to pair him with a rebuilt defensive corps or chase more reinforcements up front. The Oilers’ defensive corps ranked 29th in the NHL in expected goals allowed per 60 minutes last season, a trend that persisted even when Jarry was healthy. Andersen’s ability to steal games in Carolina’s Cup run suggests he could mask some of those systemic issues, but his regular-season inconsistencies—3.03 GAA and .902 SV% in 2023-24—raise questions about long-term reliability. The Oilers’ front office is betting that Andersen’s playoff performance is the true measure of his value. His 2024 postseason included a 1.56 GAA and .930 SV%, numbers that dwarfed his regular-season output. This disparity isn’t unique to Andersen; many goalies elevate their game in high-stakes situations, but the Oilers are rolling the dice on a 36-year-old who has played 50+ games in a season just twice in his career. If Andersen can sustain even a fraction of his playoff form, Edmonton’s goaltending becomes a strength rather than a liability. The financial architecture of this deal is arguably as significant as the goaltender himself. By locking in a sub-$3 million cap hit, general management preserves the capital required to acquire a top-four defenseman before the deadline, a non-negotiable need for a squad that finished 29th in expected goals against. This is a low-risk, high-reward bridge move; if Andersen falters, the financial dead weight is negligible compared to the crippling contracts that plague other contenders, allowing Edmonton to pivot without mortgaging its future. However, the tactical fit remains a glaring concern. Andersen is coming from a Carolina system built on suffocating defensive structure and limiting high-danger looks, a stark contrast to the Oilers' high-octane, run-and-gun identity that frequently leaves goalies exposed to odd-man rushes. This signing implicitly demands a philosophical shift from head coach Kris Knoblauch, requiring a commitment to backchecking and defensive responsibility that was absent during the Jarry era. If Edmonton cannot transition from a track meet to a disciplined playoff style, Andersen’s heroics may merely mask the symptoms of a deeper systemic rot. “Frederik’s championship experience and poise are exactly what this team needs,” said Oilers GM Kevin Lowe. “We’re adding a proven winner who thrives when it matters most.” What’s next: Andersen will face a short adjustment window in preseason before likely opening the year as the Oilers’ No. 1. If he can replicate his Cup-winning form behind Edmonton’s leaky blue line, the gamble pays off; if not, the Oilers may again be hunting for a netminder by March. The team’s defensive rebuild and forward depth will play a critical role in determining whether Andersen’s signing is a stopgap or a long-term solution. ## Why this matters Andersen’s signing is a calculated risk to fix Edmonton’s most glaring flaw after a season where Jarry’s struggles and defensive breakdowns derailed a Cup-contending roster. His playoff dominance masks a regular season that saw him post a 3.03 GAA and .902 SV% in Carolina, but his postseason résumé—including a Conn Smythe-caliber run—offers tangible proof he can elevate play when it counts. For a franchise that has cycled through goalies without finding stability, Andersen isn’t just insurance; he’s a litmus test for whether the Oilers can turn last year’s defensive sieve into a championship-caliber unit. The move also signals Edmonton’s willingness to prioritize playoff performance over regular-season consistency, a gamble that could pay off if Andersen’s Cup-winning form carries over. ## Frequently asked ### How much is Frederik Andersen’s contract worth? Andersen signed a one-year deal with a $1 million base salary and up to $1.8 million in performance bonuses, resulting in a $2.8 million average annual value. ### What were Andersen’s stats in the 2024 playoffs? Andersen posted a 1.56 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage across 17 playoff games, including a 200-save, 4-1 series win over the Rangers in the Final. ### How did Tristan Jarry perform for Edmonton last season? Jarry finished with a 4.18 GAA and an .887 save percentage before being traded to the Bruins, the worst among NHL goalies with at least 40 appearances. ### Why did Edmonton target Andersen despite his rough regular season? Andersen’s playoff dominance—including a Conn Smythe-level run—outweighs his regular-season inconsistencies, offering Edmonton a low-risk shot at a proven winner behind a leaky defense. ### When will Andersen likely start for the Oilers? Preseason auditions will determine his role, but he’s expected to open the season as Edmonton’s No. 1 goalie, with Stuart Skinner as the primary backup. ### What defensive issues did Edmonton face last season? The Oilers ranked 29th in the NHL in expected goals allowed per 60 minutes in 2023-24, a systemic flaw that persisted even when Jarry was healthy. ## Sources & Citations - [Oilers sign Frederik Andersen to one-year contract](https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/edmonton-oilers-sign-frederik-andersen-one-year-contract-nhl-free-agency) — Daily Faceoff (2026-07-02) --- Cite: Oilers bring in Cup-winning Andersen after Jarry disaster. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/oilers-sign-frederik-andersen-to-one-year-contract-516f0f8b