Frederik Andersen Nearly Signed With Rival Team Before Landing In Edmonton
Per Elliotte Friedman, there was a strong belief that Andersen would sign with the Florida Panthers before they pivoted and acquired Jacob Markstrom instead.
That shift opened the door for the Oilers to step in and secure the veteran goaltender on a one-year, incentive-laden deal.
How Edmonton Landed Him
The Panthers entered the offseason with a big need in net.
Sergei Bobrovsky was heading toward free agency, and Florida needed a proven starter, with Andersen reportedly the expected target.
Instead, the Panthers swung a trade with the New Jersey Devils for Markstrom and also acquired Akira Schmid from Vegas, filling their crease through other means.
THE GREAT DANE 🇩🇰
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 2, 2026
The #Oilers have signed goaltender Frederik Andersen to a one-year contract with an AAV of $2.8 million. pic.twitter.com/UR5lbK2sLw
That left Andersen on the market, and Edmonton pounced.
The Oilers signed the 36-year-old to a one-year contract with an average annual value of $2.8 million, structured with just a $1 million salary and $1.8 million in performance bonuses tied to games played and playoff success.
For Edmonton
The signing addresses a problem that has plagued the Oilers throughout the Connor McDavid era.
Andersen is potentially the best goaltender the team has had during McDavid's time in Edmonton, and there is a sense he will be given the starting job to open the 2026-27 season.
He is coming off a brilliant playoff run in which he went 13-2 with a 1.89 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage, anchoring Carolina to the Stanley Cup Final before a knee injury gave way to Brandon Bussi, who closed out the championship.
There is also familiarity at play.
Andersen previously played with Oilers winger Zach Hyman in Toronto, and new Edmonton head coach Mike Babcock and assistant D.J. Smith were both behind the bench during Andersen's time with the Maple Leafs.
He joins a goaltending group that also includes Tristan Jarry and the recently acquired Devon Levi, giving Edmonton its deepest crease competition in years.
Had the Panthers not pivoted to Markstrom, the Oilers might still be searching.
