Craig Anderson, Senators agree to three-year extension

The Ottawa Senators have their goaltending tandem locked in long term after Craig Anderson agreed to a three-year, $12.6 million extension on Monday.

His contract will run through 2017-18 and backup Robin Lehner earlier this summer signed a three-year, $6.675 million deal through 2016-17.

The way the contracts are structured ensures a transition to Lehner becoming the No. 1 goalie, though it might take a while.

Lehner's salary numbers will rise ($1.5 million, $2.025 million and $3.15 million) while Anderson, 33, will make two years at $4.75 million (starting in 2015-16) and a final year at $3.1 million.

"Robin and I have gotten along really, really well the last few years. I'm looking forward to working with him and continuing to help him improve," Anderson said on a conference call. "By him being a better goalie, it's going to help me become a better goalie and we're going to become a better team because of it."

Lehner, 23, will be a restricted free agent at the end of his deal.

The pair started every game last season, with Anderson getting 52 starts to Lehner's 30. Their numbers were nearly identical: Anderson led in goals-against average (3.00 to 3.06) while Lehner led in save percentage (.913 to .911).

"I've seen his work habits go through the roof over the last couple of years which is a good sign for the team and it's only going to instill more confidence," Anderson said. "If the team has confidence in both their goaltenders it's just going to help the team win at the end of the day."

Monday's announcement was the second extension for the Senators in a week. They signed winger Clarke MacArthur to a five-year, $23.25 million contract extension on Tuesday.

The contracts for winger Bobby Ryan and defenseman Marc Methot also run out next summer.