The Edmonton Oilers recently pursued stability at their most important position by signing veteran goaltender Frederik Andersen. However, Andersen is dealing with an setback that will keep him out for the opening weeks of his tenure with the team.
The Oilers have confirmed that Andersen will miss the first several weeks of the season, including Training Camp and the exhibition schedule. Reports indicate he is not expected to be available until late October. It was noted that Matt Savoie and Andersen may both be available around that timeframe.
With Andersen unavailable, Edmonton will begin the season relying on a goaltending tandem that includes Tristan Jarry, acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in a major trade last December, and Devon Levi, a prospect acquired from the Buffalo Sabres earlier in the summer.
About Andersen signing
Andersen joined the Oilers on a one-year deal worth $2.8 million, marking his first season in Edmonton. The 37-year-old veteran spent the previous five seasons with Carolina, where he played a pivotal role in their playoff run. During the 2025-26 regular season, Andersen posted a 16-14-5 record with a 3.05 goals-against average (GAA) and a .874 save percentage in 35 appearances. He delivered strong playoff numbers, but his postseason run ended in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final due to a knee injury, alongside a notable late-game incident involving former teammate Mitch Marner.
Across his career, Andersen has compiled a substantial resume: a regular-season record of 324-149-58 with a 2.58 GAA, a .913 save percentage, and 28 shutouts over 552 games. He has appeared in 101 playoff games, posting a 59-37 record with a 2.32 GAA, a .913 save percentage, and eight shutouts.
Outlook
The Oilers face an early-season challenge without Andersen, but the organization is positioned to lean on experienced depth and its developing goaltending options. As Andersen recovers, attention will turn to how the team manages workload for Jarry and Levi, and how the goaltending depth chart adjusts as Andersen returns later in October.
In summary, Edmonton responded to a key position need with a veteran presence in Frederik Andersen, even as an injury setback delays his debut. The coming weeks will determine how the goaltending tandem evolves and how the team performs while Andersen is sidelined.
