Anderson is our number one goaltender. He gave us hope early in the year and he steals games in the playoffs.
Hammond's magic may have put Lehner's future with Ottawa into question; that future will be hotly debated this summer. Ironically, because Anderson is perennially injured for a significant time each year, the organization has the capacity to have three competitive goalies available for NHL duty (contracts permitting) in the system. Moreover, Anderson's willingness to settle for cap-friendly contracts makes that a greater possibility.
Hammond really holds the cards in determining our goaltending direction. After his epic accomplishment, there may be some teams willing to risk significant money on him hoping he pans out. As a free agent, he has that choice.
Yah, Hammond is a huge gamble. What a remarkable story he has though. He should definitely get signed, but regardless its a huge risk for any team he ends up playing for. That being said, I would feel a little crusty about seeing him go to another team, he's just such a likeable character.
He may be well worth the risk, but he will not truly be tested until he plays a season under a NHL contract. We've all seen him at his best, and he has potential to get better with NHL goalie coaching, but on the other hand no one has seen him at this worst, which is a scary thing. What does Hammond look like completely off his game??? No one will know until that game happens. Because you have to bet throughout a whole season he will have those bad moments, just like every rookie goalie in the NHL.
I've been saying this since the beginning of this "goalie controversy". I always knew Hammond's success never truly threatened Anderson's future because Anderson is 100%, in every aspect, a better goalie than Hammond and Lehner. That's just a fact.